Budget Baked Ziti Pasta (Printable Version)
Oven-baked pasta with a tangy tomato sauce and melty cheeses. Hearty, simple, and perfect for sharing.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
→ Sauce
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
07 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
08 - 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1 teaspoon sugar
→ Cheese Mixture
12 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
13 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1 large egg
→ Assembly
15 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Set oven to 375°F and allow to reach temperature.
02 - Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Cook ziti until al dente following package instructions. Drain and reserve.
03 - Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion; cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, oregano, basil, and optional red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute.
04 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - In a mixing bowl, blend ricotta, Parmesan, and egg until a smooth consistency forms.
06 - Add drained pasta to skillet and gently fold until evenly coated with sauce.
07 - Spread half the sauced pasta in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Dot with half the ricotta mixture and sprinkle with half the mozzarella.
08 - Add remaining pasta and ricotta mixture, then top with remaining mozzarella.
09 - Transfer dish to oven and bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and golden brown.
10 - Let stand for 5 minutes before garnishing with chopped parsley and serving.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Made with affordable pantry staples you probably have on hand
- Feeds a hungry family or makes several grab-and-go lunches
- Satisfying cheesy layers without needing expensive ingredients
02 -
- High in protein and calcium thanks to three cheeses
- Leftovers reheat beautifully for quick next-day meals
- Kid-friendly flavors with the option to dial up the spice
03 -
- The secret to the best flavor is slowly cooking the onions and garlic for maximum sweetness
- Always slightly undercook your pasta since it will continue to absorb sauce in the oven. If you are short on ricotta swirl in a few tablespoons of Greek yogurt for extra creaminess