Authentic Tuscan Baked Ziti

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-28 · Updated 2026-03-28

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A hearty Italian dish featuring tender ziti pasta smothered in marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella, baked to golden perfection. This Italian-inspired sheet-pan recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs ziti pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb ziti pasta
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook 1 lb ziti in salted boiling water for 8 minutes, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Step 2: In a bowl, mix 1 cup ricotta, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and 1/4 cup chopped basil. Set aside.
Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté 3 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 2 cups marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
Step 4: Layer 1 cup marinara sauce in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with cooked ziti, then spread the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan. Bake for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Step 5: Let cool slightly, then serve with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil.