Baked Four-Cheese Ziti with Roasted Garlic
A hearty baked pasta dish featuring a blend of four cheeses and sweet roasted garlic enveloped in a rich tomato sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 60 minutes pairs ziti pasta, olive oil, whole 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 6 whole garlic cloves
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup fontina cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place 6 whole garlic cloves on a small baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and roast for 20 minutes until soft and golden.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz ziti pasta and cook for 9 minutes until al dente; drain and set aside.
- Step 3: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm 1 tbsp olive oil. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins and add them to the saucepan along with 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, tomato sauce, 1 cup ricotta cheese, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Stir gently to coat all pasta evenly.
- Step 5: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture evenly. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, and 1/2 cup shredded fontina.
- Step 6: Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with the remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and 1/2 cup fontina.
- Step 7: Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until the cheese on top is melted and bubbling with golden edges. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Four-Cheese Ziti with Roasted Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 Roasted 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 Roasted 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 Roasted 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 Roasted 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.
