Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with Fresh Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-24 · Updated 2026-07-24

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 drafted and published.

A hearty baked ziti layered with ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and provolone cheeses, finished with fresh basil for a comforting Italian meal. This Italian pasta recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs ziti pasta, ricotta cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner. 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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

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Ingredients

12 oz ziti pasta
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 oz sliced provolone cheese
3 cups marinara sauce
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

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 minutes until just al dente. Drain and toss with 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with 3 cups marinara sauce, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; mix gently.
Step 3: Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and half of 4 oz sliced provolone cheese.
Step 4: Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, then finish with the remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, and provolone cheeses.
Step 5: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Remove from oven and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil before serving.