I love an easy weeknight meal! The best part of this dish is we ate on it for multiple nights to get us through Halloween week. (If you have kids you KNOW!)

As a working mom, I’m always searching for meals I can make but easier. I love to cook, but after a long day at the office, it’s hard to get motivated to make a big meal. However, with two young children I can’t say that eating out is an easier option.

I hope you enjoy this pasta dish as much as we have. It reminds me of lasagna without all the work. It’s a cozy Italian hug in a bowl!

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed 
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated 
• 2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce 
• 1 pound dried ziti pasta 
• 1 (16-ounce) container whole-milk ricotta cheese 
• Fresh chopped basil or parsley leaves, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 400°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. 
2. Pour marinara sauce into baking dish. Add ziti pasta, cubed mozzarella, and half the Parmesan cheese. 
3. Toss to combine and coat the pasta in the sauce. 
4. Dollop whole-milk ricotta cheese over mixture and gently stir. 
5. Spread mixture into an even layer and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. 
6. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake until the pasta is almost tender (about 40 mins.)
7. Uncover and continue baking until pasta is tender (about 20 mins more.) 
8. Broil until the top is browned (about 2 to 3 minutes.) Let cool, garnish the basil or parsley.

Enjoy!!