There is something mighty comforting about a pan of baked pasta, especially on a busy evening when you want supper to feel hearty without making a big production out of it. This oven baked 3-ingredients lazy havarti ziti is the sort of thrifty, practical dish that fits right into a Midwestern kitchen: pasta, sauce, and cheese coming together into a bubbling casserole that tastes like you worked much harder than you did. Havarti melts into a rich, creamy blanket over the ziti, giving this simple bake a soft, buttery finish that makes folks go back for seconds.
Serve this ziti with a crisp green salad, simple steamed green beans, or a plate of roasted broccoli if you want a little balance beside all that creamy cheese. A piece of garlic toast or warm buttered bread is always welcome for mopping up the sauce, and if you are feeding a crowd, a bowl of fruit or a dish of pickles on the side rounds out the table nicely.
Oven Baked 3-Ingredients Lazy Havarti Ziti
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 pound ziti pasta
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a rectangular glass baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti until just shy of al dente, about 1 to 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain well.
3. Return the drained ziti to the pot, pour in the pasta sauce, and stir until all the pasta is evenly coated.
4. Spread half of the sauced ziti into the prepared baking dish. Add half of the havarti over the top. Layer on the remaining ziti, then finish with the rest of the havarti.
5. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the top is golden and bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Variations & Tips
Use a flavorful sauce: Since there are only three ingredients here, the pasta sauce matters a great deal. Choose one you already know you like, whether that is a plain marinara, a garlic-forward sauce, or something with a little basil in it.
Don’t overcook the pasta: Keep the ziti a little firm before it goes into the oven, because it will keep cooking in the sauce as it bakes. That helps the casserole hold together nicely instead of turning too soft.
Try a mixed cheese topping: If you have a little mozzarella or parmesan around, you can mix some in with the havarti for a sharper or stretchier finish, while still keeping that creamy havarti character front and center.
Make it a fuller meal: If you do not mind stepping beyond the three-ingredient charm, stir in browned sausage, cooked mushrooms, or a handful of spinach to stretch it into a heartier supper.
