Lazy Day Ziti - Mano Kitchen

Table of Contents

Equipment Needed

1 lb (16 oz / 450g) Ziti Pasta (Penne or Rigatoni work as great substitutes)
24 oz (1 jar / 680g) Marinara or Tomato Basil Sauce (Choose your favorite store-bought brand)
15 oz (425g) Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
2 cups (8 oz / 225g) Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
1/2 cup (50g) Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
1 Large Egg (binds the ricotta mixture)

Time: 3 minutes | Intensity: Low
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil.

Time: 10 minutes | Intensity: Low to Medium
Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil over high heat.
Add the ziti pasta and cook for approximately 8–9 minutes, or until it reaches a firm al dente texture. (Note: The pasta will continue cooking in the oven, so slightly undercooking it keeps it from getting soggy).
Drain the pasta completely in a colander and set aside.

Time: 4 minutes | Intensity: Low
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, the egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.

Time: 3 minutes | Intensity: Low
Pour the drained pasta into the mixing bowl with the ricotta blend.
Add about 3/4 of the jar of marinara sauce (reserve the remaining 1/4 jar for assembly).
Gently fold everything together until the pasta is coated in sauce and cheese.

Time: 3 minutes | Intensity: Low
Spread the reserved marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared 13×9-inch baking dish.
Pour the cheesy ziti mixture into the dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese evenly across the top.

Time: 20 minutes | Intensity: Passive / Low
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture.
Bake in the preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes.
Carefully remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5–10 minutes, until the top cheese is fully melted, bubbling, and lightly golden.

Time: 5 minutes | Intensity: Passive
Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the cheeses to set so the casserole serves cleanly.
Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley, serve warm, and enjoy!

Add Meat: To make this dish heartier, brown 1 lb of ground Italian sausage, ground beef, or turkey, drain the excess fat, and stir it into the pasta and sauce mixture before baking.
Add Veggies: Fold in sauteed mushrooms, fresh spinach, or diced bell peppers for added nutrients and color.
Make It Spicy: Add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the ricotta mixture or use a spicy Arrabbiata marinara sauce.

Refrigeration: Store leftover Lazy Day Ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Assemble the dish up to Step 5 (before baking), wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as instructed.
Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1.5–2 minutes, or heat the whole casserole covered in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes until warmed through.

The following nutrition values are estimated per serving (based on 8 total servings):

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