Description
ThisBest Ever Baked Ziti is a comforting, cheesy pasta dish infused with bright citrus and fresh herbs. A one-dish wonder that’s perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a beginner-friendly meal loaded with flavor, protein, and cozy vibes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 28 oz marinara sauce
- 2 cups canned diced tomatoes (do not drain)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Ricotta Mixture
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Mix the Pasta and Chicken: In a large bowl, combine cooked ziti, shredded chicken, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, lemon zest, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and olive oil. Stir everything together until well coated and seasoned.
- Make the Ricotta Filling: In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, basil, garlic, and egg. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Layer the Dish: Spoon half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Add dollops of the ricotta filling across the top, followed by half of the fresh mozzarella slices. Add the remaining pasta over the top, then finish with the rest of the ricotta mixture, fresh mozzarella, and all of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake Until Bubbly: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end if you want a crispier top, but keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked ziti sit for 5–10 minutes before serving. This helps everything set and makes it easier to cut and serve. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- If you don’t have fresh herbs, substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of dried versions. To make it vegetarian, omit the chicken and add chopped spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms. For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine to the sauce mixture. Be sure to slightly undercook your pasta before baking—it will finish cooking in the oven and stay firm.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large portion
- Calories: 693
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 139mg