# What You'll Need:
→ Main
01 - 450 g ziti pasta
02 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 800 g canned crushed tomatoes
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
→ Cheese and Herbs
09 - 225 g mozzarella cheese, grated
10 - 75 g Parmesan cheese, grated
11 - 30 g fresh basil leaves, coarsely torn
12 - 250 g ricotta cheese
# Directions:
01 - Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow to fully preheat.
02 - Boil ziti pasta in a large pot of salted water until just al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
03 - Heat olive oil over medium heat in a deep skillet. Sauté chopped onion until soft, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, salt, black pepper, and oregano. Simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - In a large bowl, mix drained pasta with prepared tomato sauce. Add half the mozzarella, half the Parmesan, and all ricotta cheese. Fold gently to incorporate.
05 - Coat the inside of a 9x13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of olive oil. Spread half the pasta mixture into the dish. Sprinkle with half the fresh basil.
06 - Top with the rest of the pasta mixture. Evenly distribute remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top, followed by the remaining basil.
07 - Place dish in preheated oven and bake until cheese is bubbly and golden, 25 to 30 minutes.
08 - Allow baked ziti to cool for 5 minutes before serving for optimal texture.
