Baked Ziti

🛒 Ingredients

• Ziti pasta 500 g · 1780 kcal
• Crushed tomatoes 800 g · 160 kcal
• Whole milk ricotta cheese 400 g · 600 kcal
• Low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded 450 g · 1350 kcal
• Parmesan cheese, grated 100 g · 430 kcal
• Yellow onion 150 g · 60 kcal
• Garlic cloves 20 g · 30 kcal
• Olive oil 27 g · 243 kcal
• Fresh basil leaves 15 g · 4 kcal
• Dried oregano 5 g · 15 kcal
• Granulated sugar 5 g · 20 kcal
• Salt 10 g · 0 kcal
• Black pepper 2 g · 0 kcal

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a large baking dish.
2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente; drain and set aside.
3. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, sugar, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it cook for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with half of the fresh basil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti with about two-thirds of the tomato sauce. Ensure all pasta is coated.
7. Spread half of the sauced ziti into the prepared baking dish. Top with dollops of the ricotta mixture, then sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
8. Layer the remaining sauced ziti, then the rest of the tomato sauce. Finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.