Three-Cheese Baked Ziti with Tomato Basil Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting baked pasta with layers of ziti, ricotta, mozzarella, and a rich tomato basil sauce. A crowd-pleasing family dinner with simple ingredients. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 55 minutes pairs ziti pasta, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 2 cups tomato sauce, 1/4 cup chopped basil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
  3. Step 3: In a bowl, mix together 1 cup ricotta cheese and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
  4. Step 4: In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce mixture on the bottom. Layer half the ziti, then spread half the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Top with half the mozzarella and half the remaining tomato sauce.
  5. Step 5: Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and tomato sauce.
  6. Step 6: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Three-Cheese Baked Ziti with Tomato Basil Sauce 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 Three-Cheese Baked Ziti with Tomato Basil Sauce?

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 Three-Cheese Baked Ziti with Tomato Basil Sauce?

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 Three-Cheese Baked Ziti with Tomato Basil Sauce 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 Three-Cheese Baked Ziti with Tomato Basil Sauce?

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.

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