Baked Ziti Freezer Meal
A comforting and hearty Italian-American classic combining ziti pasta, a blend of cheeses, and marinara sauce, perfect for busy weeks or feeding a crowd.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 450kcal
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce
- 450 grams ziti pasta Cook according to package instructions.
- 480 millilitres marinara sauce
Cheeses
- 425 grams ricotta cheese
- 225 grams shredded mozzarella cheese Divide into halves for topping.
- 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese Sprinkle on top.
Seasonings and Oil
- 15 millilitres olive oil For greasing the baking dish.
- 5 grams garlic powder
- 5 grams Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper To taste.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, along with salt and pepper. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Grease a baking dish with a bit of olive oil, then transfer the pasta mixture into the dish.
- Top the pasta with the remaining mozzarella cheese and sprinkle grated Parmesan on top.
Baking
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
Serving
- Allow to cool slightly before serving. If preparing as a freezer meal, let cool completely before transferring to the freezer.
Notes
For a creamy texture, add cream cheese or heavy cream to the ricotta. Consider adding sautéed vegetables for extra nutrition. Ground meat can be included for a heartier dish.