Description

This One-Pan Baked Ziti brings together aromatic garlic, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella in one delicious skillet. It’s an easy, comforting dish that can be made in under 40 minutes—ideal for a busy weeknight dinner or family gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

6 garlic cloves, minced
4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
salt and pepper
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
3 cups water
12 ounces ziti pasta, 3¾ cups
½ cup whole-milk ricotta (4 ounces)
¾ cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C) and adjust the oven rack to the middle position.
In a 12-inch oven-safe nonstick skillet, combine 1 tablespoon of olive oil, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Sauté over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add crushed tomatoes, water, ziti, and 1 teaspoon of salt to the skillet.
Cover and cook, stirring often, until ziti is nearly tender, about 12-15 minutes. Avoid overcooking as it will continue to cook in the oven.
While the ziti cooks, mix ricotta, remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil, ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Set aside.
Stir in heavy cream, ½ cup of parmesan, and basil into the ziti mixture, seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
If your skillet isn't oven-safe, transfer the ziti mixture to a 2-quart casserole dish. Otherwise, proceed in the skillet.
Spoon dollops of the ricotta mixture over the pasta and evenly sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
Bake for 5-10 minutes, or until cheese has melted and turned golden brown. Remove from oven, let cool slightly, and garnish with remaining basil. Serve warm.

Notes

For a quicker option, feel free to substitute homemade sauce with store-bought marinara.
To achieve a crispy cheese topping, ensure the skillet is oven-safe or use a casserole dish.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 480
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 820mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 19g
Cholesterol: 70mg