Cheesy Zucchini Penne Bake with Herbed Ricotta and Marinara

There’s something irresistible about a bubbling, cheesy pasta bake fresh from the oven. This dish layers al dente penne with tender zucchini, a rich marinara sauce and creamy herbed ricotta, all topped with a golden blanket of melted mozzarella. It’s the kind of meal that makes everyone at the table go quiet-except for the occasional “mmm.”

Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner, this recipe comes together quickly with simple ingredients. Serve it straight from the baking dish for maximum cheese pull and watch it disappear.

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Ingredients

1 unit ZucchiniView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Yellow OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Roma TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce Penne PastaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

14 ounce Marinara CupView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Italian SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ounce Ricotta CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Mozzarella CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Chili FlakesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F with a rack in the top position. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce. Halve, peel and dice half the onion (use whole onion for 4 servings). Finely dice the tomato. Trim the zucchini and grate it on the largest holes of a box grater.
2. Once water is boiling, add penne and cook until almost al dente, about 8 minutes (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain the penne and set aside. Keep the empty pot handy.
3. Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, tomato and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, 4-6 minutes. Stir in marinara, grated zucchini, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon for 4 servings), ¼ cup water (½ cup for 4), 1 teaspoon sugar (2 teaspoons for 4) and a big pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes more. Turn off heat.
4. While the sauce simmers, in a medium bowl, combine ricotta, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon for 4 servings) and a drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
5. Add the drained penne, the sauce and 1 tablespoon butter (2 tablespoons for 4 servings) to the pot used for pasta. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine thoroughly. Spread half the pasta mixture into an 8-by-8-inch baking dish (use a 9-by-13-inch dish for 4 servings). Dollop the herbed ricotta over the pasta using a tablespoon. Top with the remaining pasta mixture and sprinkle mozzarella evenly on top.
6. Cover the baking dish with foil (lightly coat the inside of the foil with nonstick spray to prevent sticking). Bake on the top rack for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, discard foil and switch the oven to broil. Broil until the cheese is lightly browned, 4-5 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. Let cool slightly, sprinkle with chili flakes if desired and serve directly from the dish.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes, any short pasta like rigatoni, fusilli or ziti works well. Adjust cooking time according to package directions.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely. Assemble the bake without the final broil, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake covered at 450°F for 15 minutes, then uncover and broil as directed.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.