Best-Best Baked Ziti with Garlic Parmesan
A creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish with crispy garlic bread on top for the ultimate comfort meal. This italian-inspired quick meals ready in about 55 minutes pairs spaghetti pasta, tomato 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti pasta
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta with tomato sauce, ricotta, and 1/4 cup parmesan until evenly combined. Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mash garlic cloves with olive oil until fragrant. Spread over the pasta mixture, then sprinkle remaining parmesan and bread crumbs on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Step 4: Let rest 5 minutes before serving, garnished with fresh parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best-Best Baked Ziti with Garlic Parmesan take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 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 Best-Best Baked Ziti with Garlic Parmesan?
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 spaghetti pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best-Best Baked Ziti with Garlic Parmesan?
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 Best-Best Baked Ziti with Garlic Parmesan 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 Best-Best Baked Ziti with Garlic Parmesan?
Italian quick meals 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 35-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
