Description
Crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, stuffed ziti fritta is the ultimate Italian-inspired appetizer. This easy recipe gives you restaurant-quality results at home—perfect for parties, family dinners, or anytime you crave something indulgent.
Ingredients
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8 oz (225g) ziti pasta
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1 cup ricotta cheese (part-skim or whole milk)
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
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1 large egg (for filling)
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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1 cup all-purpose flour (for breading)
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2 large eggs (for breading)
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1 1/2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs or panko
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Vegetable oil, for frying (or cooking spray for air fryer/baking)
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Marinara sauce, for serving
Instructions
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Cook Pasta: Boil ziti in salted water until just al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
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Prepare Filling: In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, 1 egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
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Stuff the Ziti: Transfer cheese filling to a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped. Gently pipe filling into each pasta tube.
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Set Up Breading Station: Place flour in one bowl, beat 2 eggs in another, and place breadcrumbs in a third.
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Bread the Ziti: Roll stuffed ziti in flour, dip in egg, then coat in breadcrumbs. For extra crunch, repeat the egg and breadcrumb step.
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Cook:
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Fry: Heat 1–2 inches of oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry ziti in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
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Air Fryer: Spray breaded ziti with oil and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway.
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Bake: Place on a lined baking sheet, mist with oil, and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping once.
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Serve: Enjoy hot with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
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Chill stuffed ziti before breading for less mess.
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Gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs can be used for a GF option.
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To freeze, arrange breaded ziti on a tray, freeze solid, then store in a freezer bag. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
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Add chopped spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or red pepper flakes to the filling for variation.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~6–7 pieces
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 80mg