Description
Five-Cheese Baked Ziti al Forno is a creamy, cheesy delight that brings warmth and joy to any occasion. This comforting dish is perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz ziti pasta
For the Sauce:
- 3 cups marinara sauce
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (optional)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
For the Pasta:
- 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- 2. Boil a large pot of salted water, add the ziti, and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain without rinsing.
For the Sauce:
- 3. In a bowl, mix cooked ziti with marinara sauce until well-coated.
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 4. In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, Gorgonzola (if using), cheddar, and basil. Stir until blended.
- Assembly:
- 5. Layer half of the ziti mixture in the greased baking dish.
- 6. Spread half of the cheese mixture over the ziti.
- 7. Add the remaining ziti mixture and top with the rest of the cheese mixture.
- 8. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella on top.
- 9. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg