Description
A delicious and cheesy baked pasta dish featuring five different types of cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, and half of the provolone. Mix until well combined.
- Transfer the ziti mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, and feta cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a meatier version, add cooked Italian sausage or ground beef to the sauce.
- Substitute any of the cheeses with your favorites or what you have on hand, such as gouda or cheddar, for a unique twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Five-Cheese Ziti al Forno, baked pasta, cheesy pasta dish