Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with Basil and Garlic
A rich baked ziti featuring four cheeses and fresh basil, baked to bubbly perfection with a garlicky tomato sauce. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 55 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and add 12 oz ziti pasta. Cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, tomato sauce, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1/2 of the 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Stir gently to combine.
- Step 5: Transfer the mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top evenly with the remaining 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Step 6: Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden around the edges. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with Basil and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Four-Cheese Baked 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 Four-Cheese Baked 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 Four-Cheese Baked 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 Four-Cheese Baked 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.
