Rental Car Baked Ziti
A creamy baked pasta dish with a cheesy, comforting twist for a cozy dinner. This italian-inspired asian ready in about 50 minutes pairs cooked and drained ziti pasta, milk, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1 lb, cooked and drained ziti pasta
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup, grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine 1 lb cooked ziti pasta, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Stir until the mixture is evenly coated. Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Step 3: Dot with 1 tbsp butter and sprinkle an additional 1/4 cup parmesan on top.
- Step 4: Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rental Car Baked Ziti take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Rental Car Baked Ziti?
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 cooked and drained ziti pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rental Car Baked Ziti?
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 Rental Car Baked Ziti for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Rental Car Baked Ziti?
Italian asian 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 flavors in this rental are incredible.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
