There could be a few reasons why the top layer of your baked ziti turned out hard or dry. Here are a few possibilities:
Overcooking: The ziti might have been baked for too long, causing the top layer to dry out. Baked pasta dishes like ziti typically require a sufficient amount of moisture to keep the pasta tender. If it is baked for an extended period or at a higher temperature than necessary, it can result in the top layer drying out.
Insufficient sauce or cheese: The top layer of the ziti may not have had enough sauce or cheese to keep it moist during baking. The sauce and cheese act as a barrier, trapping moisture and preventing the pasta from drying out. If the top layer had limited sauce or cheese coverage, it could have led to dryness.
Placement in the oven: The position of the baking dish in the oven might have contributed to the uneven cooking. Placing the dish too close to the top heating element can cause the top layer to cook faster and potentially become dry or hard while the rest of the dish is still cooking.
To avoid this issue in the future, you can try the following:
Reduce the baking time: Check the ziti a few minutes earlier than the suggested baking time in the recipe and assess the doneness. If the top layer is starting to brown and the dish is heated through, you can remove it from the oven to prevent further drying.
Increase sauce and cheese coverage: Ensure that the top layer of the ziti is well-coated with sauce and topped with enough cheese. This will help retain moisture and prevent excessive drying.
Adjust oven rack position: Place the baking dish in the center of the oven to promote even heat distribution. If you find that the top is browning too quickly, you can move the dish to a lower oven rack to prevent overcooking of the top layer.
By making these adjustments, you should be able to achieve a more evenly cooked and moist baked ziti.