Ziti with Four Cheeses

Dive into comfort food bliss with this irresistible Ziti with Four Cheeses recipe, a cheesy, baked pasta masterpiece that combines bold flavors and creamy textures. Featuring four luscious cheeses—ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Fontina—this dish creates a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth experience, perfectly complemented by a rich marinara and cream sauce infused with garlic and herbs. It's all baked to golden perfection, with bubbling cheesy goodness and a crispy topping that will have everyone asking for seconds. Ideal for family dinners or potluck gatherings, this recipe is easy to prepare and ready in just under an hour, making it a go-to for busy weeknights or special occasions. Serve with a garnish of fresh basil for a pop of color and flavor—true Italian-inspired comfort food at its finest!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup Fontina cheese, shredded
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 4

Stir in the marinara sauce and heavy cream. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and black pepper, then remove from heat.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, and the Fontina cheese. Mix until well combined.

Step 6

Add the cooked ziti pasta to the cheese mixture and toss until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 7

Spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 8

Layer the coated pasta over the marinara sauce in the baking dish.

Step 9

Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the pasta, spreading it evenly.

Step 10

Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.

Step 11

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 12

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 13

Garnish with chopped fresh basil before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2001.7 grams (2001.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4312

Total Fat 221.40g	284%
Saturated Fat 114.30g	572%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 627mg	209%
Sodium 7110mg	309%
Total Carbohydrate 392.90g	143%
Dietary Fiber 30.60g	109%
Total Sugars 35.30g
Protein 198.80g	398%

Vitamin D 24IU	120%
Calcium 4460mg	343%
Iron 21mg	114%
Potassium 537mg	11%

*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: 45.7%

Protein: 18.2%

Carbs: 36.1%