Description
This Baked Ziti Recipe without Ricotta offers a creamy and cheesy twist on a classic Italian-American dish. Featuring a rich blend of marinara sauce, cream cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan, this comforting casserole is baked to bubbly perfection and garnished with fresh basil for a fragrant finish. Perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings, it’s an easy-to-make pasta bake that satisfies with every cheesy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 pound dry ziti pasta (1 box)
Sauce & Cheese
- 32 ounces marinara sauce (1 jar)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (1 brick)
- 16 ounces freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Herbs
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and spray an 11×9-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray to prepare it for baking.
- Cook Pasta: In a large saucepan, boil the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, without adding salt. Then drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Prepare Sauce: Using the same saucepan over medium heat, combine the marinara sauce and cream cheese, stirring frequently until the cream cheese fully melts and blends into a smooth sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta back into the saucepan with the marinara and cream cheese sauce, mixing well to evenly coat the pasta with the creamy sauce.
- Layer Base: Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan cheese, spreading it out for an even layer.
- Add Basil: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the chopped fresh basil over the cheese layer to add a fresh, aromatic flavor.
- Layer Top: Spoon the remaining pasta mixture over the basil and cheese layer. Then top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, spreading evenly.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the casserole dish with foil or a lid and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes to cook through and meld flavors.
- Uncover and Brown: Remove the cover and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the baked ziti is bubbly and the cheeses turn a golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the casserole with the remaining chopped fresh basil before serving to enhance the aroma and add a vibrant garnish.
Notes
- Be sure to cook the pasta al dente as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature for easier melting.
- Covering the casserole during the initial baking helps keep the pasta moist.
- Using freshly shredded mozzarella and Parmesan yields the best melting and flavor.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before baking.
