This creamy and delicious Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with a Crispy Bacon Crust is the ultimate comfort food that I love to prepare for family gatherings or just a cozy dinner at home. The combination of four different cheeses creates a rich and mouthwatering dish that complements the tender pasta and crunchy bacon perfectly. Follow along, and I’ll share my step-by-step guide to making this indulgent masterpiece!

Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with a Crispy Bacon Crust

A creamy and delicious baked ziti featuring a blend of four cheeses and topped with a crispy bacon crust, making it the ultimate comfort food.

Prep: 20 min | Cook: 35 min | Total: 55 min

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 8 ounces ricotta cheese
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 4 ounces fontina cheese, shredded
• 4 ounces parmesan cheese, grated
• 4 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, and half of the shredded fontina cheese.
4. Stir in the marinara sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
5. Fold the cooked ziti into the cheese and sauce mixture until fully coated.
6. Transfer the pasta mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
7. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and fontina cheeses over the top.
8. Evenly distribute the crumbled bacon over the cheese layer.
9. Top with the grated parmesan cheese.
10. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
11. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
12. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
13. Garnish with fresh basil before serving, if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 650 kcal
• Fat: 30 g
• Carbs: 70 g
• Protein: 35 g

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To start, you’ll want to gather your ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 pound of ziti pasta
• 8 ounces of ricotta cheese
• 8 ounces of mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 4 ounces of fontina cheese, shredded
• 4 ounces of parmesan cheese, grated
• 4 slices of bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
• 2 cups of marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Now, let’s look into the preparation. First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating, cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. I usually add a pinch of salt to the water for flavor. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside.

In a large bowl, I mix the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the fontina cheese. Then, I stir in the marinara sauce and season it with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. I like to add a pinch of each to enhance the flavors. Once everything is well combined, I fold in the cooked ziti pasta until it’s fully coated.

Now, let’s transfer this cheesy mixture to a baking dish. I find that a 9×13 inch dish works perfectly for this recipe. I pour the pasta mixture into the dish and spread it evenly. Next, I sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and fontina cheese on top, followed by the crispy crumbled bacon. This will give your baked ziti that amazing crunchy layer.

Finally, I top it off with the grated parmesan cheese, which will help create a perfect golden crust while it bakes. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. After that, I remove the foil and bake it for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown. The aroma wafting through your kitchen will be irresistible!

Once it’s done, I take it out of the oven and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes. This waiting period allows the layers to settle, making it easier to serve. To finish, I like to garnish my Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with fresh basil for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

And there you have it! Your delicious masterpiece is ready to be devoured. Serve it warm, and enjoy the delightful combination of cheese, pasta, and crispy bacon with your loved ones. Bon appétit!

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