Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1.5 lb. pasta (choice of Ziti, Penne, or Rigatoni)
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 to 4 (32 oz) jars Rao’s Homemade Pasta Sauce
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
- Olive oil (for pasta water and to coat cooked pasta)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add a splash of olive oil to the water to prevent the pasta from sticking. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, then drain and return it to the pot.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the drained pasta to coat it and keep it from sticking together. Set the pasta aside.
- In a large saucepan, pour in the Rao’s pasta sauce and heat it over medium heat. Add the cream cheese to the sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cream cheese has melted completely, creating a smooth pink sauce.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and the pink sauce, making sure every piece of pasta is well coated.
- Layer half of the pasta mixture in your prepared baking dish. Top with half of the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese, finishing with a top layer of cheese.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly. For an extra cheesy top, broil for the last 2–3 minutes.
- Allow the baked ziti to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
If you’d like to add meat to your baked ziti, Italian sausage is a great option. You can also serve it on the side. I recommend pairing your baked ziti with a good crusty sourdough bread and a Caesar salad for a complete meal. If you choose not to add meat, grill some sausage rounds on the side for a crowd-pleasing option. Either way, your guests will be happy and well-fed!
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- Prep Time: 15 Minutues
- Cook Time: 30-35 Minutues
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Comfort Food
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
