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Easy Baked Ziti Recipe No-Boil Dump and Bake with Jarred Sauce

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A quick and easy no-boil baked ziti recipe using jarred marinara sauce, layered with creamy ricotta and melty mozzarella cheese for a comforting weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces uncooked ziti pasta
  • 4 cups jarred marinara sauce
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella (1 cup), grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until creamy and well blended.
  3. In a large bowl, pour in the uncooked ziti and jarred marinara sauce. Drizzle the olive oil over the top, then mix gently but thoroughly so every piece of pasta is coated.
  4. Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture evenly in the baking dish. Dollop half of the cheese mixture over the pasta, then gently swirl it in with a spatula or spoon. Repeat with the remaining pasta mixture and cheese mixture.
  5. Sprinkle the last cup of shredded mozzarella evenly across the top.
  6. Tent the dish with aluminum foil, making sure it doesn’t touch the cheese.
  7. Bake for 45 minutes.
  8. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  9. Let the baked ziti rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

If sauce is thick, add a splash of water or broth to help pasta cook through. Tent with foil to prevent cheese from burning. Let rest before slicing for best texture. Substitute ricotta with cottage cheese or Greek yogurt if desired. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free option and adjust baking time accordingly.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, no-boil pasta, easy dinner, jarred marinara, weeknight meal, cheesy pasta, dump and bake

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/easy-baked-ziti-recipe-no-boil-dump-and-bake-with-jarred-sauce/