Baked Four-Cheese Ziti with Basil and Garlic

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting baked pasta dish featuring ziti tossed with a blend of four cheeses, fresh basil, and roasted garlic in a creamy tomato sauce. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs ziti pasta, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add 12 oz ziti pasta, and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in 24 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
  3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the tomato sauce, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, and half of each cheese: 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, and 1/4 cup shredded fontina. Stir gently to combine.
  4. Step 4: Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and 1/4 cup fontina evenly on top.
  5. Step 5: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden on top, and the edges are bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Four-Cheese Ziti with Basil and Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Four-Cheese Ziti with Basil and Garlic?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ziti pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Four-Cheese Ziti with Basil and Garlic?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Four-Cheese Ziti with Basil and Garlic for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Four-Cheese Ziti with Basil and Garlic?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes