Four Cheese Baked Ziti

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Four Cheese Baked Ziti, a creamy, cheesy, and saucy pasta dish that’s perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Featuring tender ziti pasta layered with a rich marinara sauce and a decadent blend of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and feta cheeses, this hearty casserole is guaranteed to satisfy every cheese lover’s craving. Fresh basil and a hint of garlic elevate the flavors, while a golden, bubbly crust adds the perfect finishing touch. Ready in under an hour, this easy baked ziti recipe is not only convenient but also irresistibly delicious—great for prepping ahead or enjoying straight from the oven. Don’t forget to pair it with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete Italian-inspired meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz ziti pasta
• 4 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 unit large egg
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0.25 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, feta cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined to create the cheese mixture.

Step 4

In the prepared baking dish, spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom.

Step 5

In the same bowl used for the cheese mixture, add the cooked ziti pasta and remaining marinara sauce. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 6

Layer half of the sauced pasta over the marinara sauce in the baking dish. Spread half of the cheese mixture on top of the pasta layer.

Step 7

Add the remaining pasta mixture as a second layer. Top with the remaining cheese mixture, spreading it evenly.

Step 8

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top to create a bubbly, golden crust.

Step 9

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (to prevent the cheese from over-browning) and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 10

Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling.

Step 11

Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional chopped basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2164.4 grams (2164.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3766

Total Fat 155.30g	199%
Saturated Fat 76.30g	382%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 598mg	199%
Sodium 7987mg	347%
Total Carbohydrate 393.80g	143%
Dietary Fiber 33.50g	120%
Total Sugars 43.70g
Protein 191.00g	382%

Vitamin D 41IU	205%
Calcium 3823mg	294%
Iron 21mg	118%
Potassium 226mg	5%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.4%

Protein: 20.4%

Carbs: 42.2%