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Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with Marinara

Elina James
Dive into comfort food heaven with this Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with Marinara loaded with gooey mozzarella, creamy ricotta, parmesan, and melted provolone in a rich homemade-style marinara sauce. This cheesy baked pasta recipe is perfect for cozy family dinners, potlucks, meal prep, or easy Italian-inspired comfort meals.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • For the Marinara Sauce:
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 800 g (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • ½ tsp sugar (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • For the Ziti:
  • 400 g (14 oz) ziti pasta
  • 250 g (1 cup) ricotta cheese
  • 200 g (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 100 g (1 cup) shredded provolone cheese
  • 50 g (½ cup) grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat Oven u0026 Cook Pasta : Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook ziti until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Prepare Marinara Sauce : Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté 3–4 minutes until soft. Add garlic and sauté 30–60 seconds. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer 10–15 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Combine Pasta u0026 Ricotta : In a large bowl, mix the cooked ziti with ¾ of the marinara sauce and the ricotta cheese. Stir until well combined.
  • Assemble the Dish : Spread half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Spoon the remaining pasta on top. Pour any remaining marinara over the pasta.
  • Add Cheese Topping : Sprinkle mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan evenly over the top. Ensure cheese covers the pasta for a bubbly, golden finish.
  • Bake : Place in the preheated oven and bake 25–30 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
  • Garnish u0026 Serve : Remove from the oven, let sit 5 minutes, and garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Keyword Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with Marinara