Baked ziti is a comforting, cheesy pasta dish that’s baked to perfection with zesty marinara sauce and gooey melted cheese.
Craving some baked ziti but don’t want to drown in leftovers for days? Fear not! Here’s the foolproof, single-serving recipe that’ll transport you straight to Italian heavens without the mountain of dishes. Get ready to savor cheesy, saucy perfection—from oven to your plate, no sharing necessary!
Baked Ziti for One
Craving some comfort food without the usual heap of leftovers? This baked ziti recipe caters to that solo appetite yearning for a cheesy and saucy pasta delight. Perfectly portioned, this dish combines the satisfying layers of ziti pasta, marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella—all baked to golden perfection.
- Cooking Method: Baking
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Cuisine Type: Italian
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ziti pasta
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp olive oil
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Feel free to do a tiny celebratory dance while it heats up.
- Boil a pot of salted water. Cook ziti until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, then drain.
- In a small pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, roughly 1 minute.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cooked ziti, marinara sauce, sautéed garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix until well-distributed.
- Transfer the mixture into a small baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Try not to drool on the oven door.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a couple of minutes. It’s hot, not lava-hot but close.
- Enjoy your solo Italian feast! Or as the Italians say, “Mangia!”
Suggestions
- For a veggie twist, add some cooked spinach or mushrooms to the mix.
- Like it spicy? Toss in some red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
- Alternatives for the sauce: Use Alfredo or a simple garlic butter sauce for a change.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a splash of color. Buonissimo!
- Pro-tip: Make sure to use high-quality marinara sauce—it can make or break the dish.
