Creamy Tomato Basil Baked Ziti
Creamy Tomato Basil Baked Ziti
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, medium, finely chopped
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, can
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
For the Cheese Layer
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese, whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375°F - 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. 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 yellow onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 12 min - 5
Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the heavy cream and chopped fresh basil until well combined.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, large egg, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Add the cooked ziti pasta to the sauce and toss gently to coat all the pasta evenly.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spoon dollops of the ricotta mixture over the pasta layer. Top with the remaining pasta and sauce mixture.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. If desired, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra browning, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375°F - 11
Remove from oven and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil, if desired.
⏱️ 10 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato Basil Baked Ziti
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, medium, finely chopped
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, can
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
For the Cheese Layer
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese, whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375°F - 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. 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 yellow onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 12 min - 5
Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the heavy cream and chopped fresh basil until well combined.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, large egg, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Add the cooked ziti pasta to the sauce and toss gently to coat all the pasta evenly.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spoon dollops of the ricotta mixture over the pasta layer. Top with the remaining pasta and sauce mixture.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. If desired, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra browning, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375°F - 11
Remove from oven and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil, if desired.
⏱️ 10 min