No-Boil Baked Ziti

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I’m excited to share my favorite easy pasta dish with you today! No-Boil Baked Ziti is a big hit in Italian-American food. It’s great for busy nights when you want a comforting dinner fast.

This recipe is special because you don’t pre-cook the pasta. Just mix it with tasty sauce, cheese, and bake. The pasta cooks in the dish, getting all those flavors. It’s like magic – you get perfect noodles and a cheesy casserole together.

Ready to try it? Let’s start making this easy, loved dish!

5 Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

I’m excited to share why this No-Boil Baked Ziti is amazing. It’s perfect for busy nights and parties. Here are five reasons you’ll love it:

1. Time-saving magic: Skip the pasta pre-cooking step and save precious minutes.
2. Minimal effort required: Just mix, layer, and bake – it’s that simple!
3. Flavor explosion: The pasta soaks up all the delicious sauce as it cooks.
4. Versatile options: Customize with your favorite cheeses or add-ins.
5. Ultimate crowd-pleaser: Perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

This dish is full of flavor thanks to its smart mix of ingredients. It has marinara sauce, cream, and ricotta cheese. These keep the pasta moist and tasty. The diced mozzarella adds melted goodness all over.

This recipe is great because you can change it up. It works for picky eaters or those who love new foods. And, it’s easy to make, even when you’re super busy.

Try this No-Boil Baked Ziti and see why it’s a hit. It’s easy and tastes great, making everyone want more!

Exact Ingredients List (+ Possible Substitutes)

I’ve made a list of ingredients for our no-boil baked ziti. The pasta and cheese are very important. Let’s look at the ingredient amounts and sauce choices!

• 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
• 4 cups marinara sauce
• 12 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 3 ounces grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil
• 1 pound cubed whole-milk mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

If you don’t have all these ingredients, don’t worry! You can swap ziti for rigatoni or fusilli. Try different cheese like provolone or fontina. Or use spicy arrabbiata sauce for more flavor.

This recipe is very flexible. Feel free to change the ingredient amounts to what you like. The main thing is to keep the pasta, cheese, and sauce balanced for the best baked ziti.

My secret? I love adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra flavor!

Now we have our ingredients ready. Let’s start cooking. Get ready to make a delicious baked ziti without boiling the pasta first!

Instructions

Let’s start making our no-boil baked ziti. First, preheat the oven to 400°F. This makes sure our dish cooks right and gets a nice crust.

Soaking the pasta is important. I soak the ziti in hot salted water for 30 minutes, then drain it. This step helps avoid boiling and saves time.

Then, I mix the sauce with ricotta, Parmesan, eggs, cream, and herbs. This mix goes well with the pasta. I add it to the soaked ziti and half the mozzarella for a cheesy treat.

The layering is easy:

1. Put the pasta mix in a baking dish
2. Add more sauce and mozzarella on top
3. Put greased foil over it

For cooking time, bake covered for 45 minutes. Then, take off the foil and bake for 15 more. This way, the pasta cooks well and the cheese gets golden.

Finally, sprinkle with Parmesan and herbs. Let it cool for 10 minutes. And you get a delicious, no-boil ziti that will wow everyone!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

I have some awesome tips for your No-Boil Baked Ziti. First, make sure your pasta is covered in sauce. This makes it cook evenly without boiling. Choose high-quality ricotta cheese without additives for the best taste.

For gooey cheese pockets, cut mozzarella into cubes. Sauce should not be too thick or too thin. If it’s too thick, your pasta might not cook right. If it’s too thin, you’ll get a soupy ziti.

After baking, let the dish rest for a few minutes. This makes it easier to serve. It also helps it set and cool a bit.

Now, let’s talk about storing leftovers. Put your baked ziti in a covered container and keep it in the fridge. It stays good for up to 5 days. To reheat, use the oven or microwave.

If you want to prep ahead, make the sauce first. Store it in sealed jars in the fridge. It lasts up to a month, making your next ziti night easy!