Spicy Baked Whole Wheat Ziti with Marinara
Spicy Baked Whole Wheat Ziti with Marinara
Ingredients
For the Ziti
- 1 pound whole wheat ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce and Cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounce crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 15 ounce ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Cook the whole wheat ziti pasta in a large pot of generously salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Add the cooked ziti to the marinara sauce and stir to coat evenly. Pour half of the sauced pasta into the prepared baking dish.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Dollop the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Top with the remaining sauced pasta. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top.
⏱️ 2 min
- 10
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are golden brown.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 11
Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Baked Whole Wheat Ziti with Marinara
Ingredients
For the Ziti
- 1 pound whole wheat ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce and Cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounce crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 15 ounce ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Cook the whole wheat ziti pasta in a large pot of generously salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Add the cooked ziti to the marinara sauce and stir to coat evenly. Pour half of the sauced pasta into the prepared baking dish.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Dollop the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Top with the remaining sauced pasta. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top.
⏱️ 2 min - 10
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are golden brown.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 11
Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 5 min