Fresh Hotel Baked Ziti

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-02 · Updated 2026-04-02

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 developed and reviewed.

A cozy, retro-inspired baked pasta dish with a creamy tomato sauce and melted cheese, perfect for a comforting meal. This Italian-American-inspired quick recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs ziti pasta, tomato sauce, whole milk 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 Italian-American cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz ziti pasta
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup whole milk
1 cup, grated parmesan cheese
1 cup, sliced mozzarella cheese
3, minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine 12 oz ziti pasta, 2 cups tomato sauce, 1 cup whole milk, 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix until evenly coated.
Step 2: Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with 1 cup sliced mozzarella cheese and 3 minced garlic cloves.
Step 3: Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly, and the pasta is tender. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.