Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipe: Homemade Comfort in One Dish

Comfort meets culinary magic in this hearty baked ziti that promises to warm your soul.

Layers of perfectly cooked pasta nestle between rich tomato sauce and melted cheese.

Robust Italian flavors dance across each delightful bite, creating a symphony of textures.

Your kitchen will smell like a rustic trattoria, inviting everyone to gather around the table.

Creamy ricotta and sharp parmesan blend seamlessly, turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Weeknight dinners just got an upgrade with this crowd-pleasing dish that feels like a warm hug.

You won’t be able to resist seconds of this irresistible classic pasta bake.

What Makes Baked Ziti So Satisfying

• Devour a classic pasta dish that brings everyone together around the dinner table with its rich, hearty flavors and cheesy goodness.
• Whip up this delicious baked ziti in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners when time is tight and hunger is high.
• Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ground beef for sausage, adding extra vegetables, or creating a vegetarian version to suit different tastes and dietary needs.
• Prepare this dish ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake when ready, making it an excellent option for planned meals and busy families seeking convenient dinner solutions.

Your Grocery List for Baked Ziti Night

• Ziti Pasta: Classic tubular pasta perfect for hearty baked dishes, choose a high-quality brand for best texture.

• Ground Beef, Onion, Garlic: Rich protein base with deep savory flavor, lean ground beef recommended for less grease.

• Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Egg: Creamy binding ingredients that create luxurious texture and cheesy richness, fresh cheeses provide best melting quality.

• Marinara Sauce, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Classic flavor enhancers that add depth and traditional Italian zest, use quality jarred sauce or homemade.

• Foil: Helps control moisture and prevent excessive browning during baking, aluminum foil works best.

Making Baked Ziti Without the Hassle

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Turn the oven to 350F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and coat it with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Cook Pasta Perfectly

Boil ziti pasta until it’s tender but still has a slight bite. Drain water and set pasta aside.

Step 3: Brown The Meat

• Ground beef
• Chopped onions

Drain any excess fat. Add minced garlic and sauté for one minute.

Step 4: Create Flavorful Sauce

Pour in marinara sauce. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer and develop rich flavors for 5-10 minutes.

Step 5: Mix Creamy Cheese Blend

• Ricotta cheese
• Egg
• Grated Parmesan
• Shredded mozzarella

Step 6: Build Delicious Layers

• Half the pasta
• Half the meat sauce
• Half the cheese mixture

Repeat the layering process.

Step 7: Add Cheese Topping

Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over the top.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking 10-15 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Step 9: Serve And Enjoy

Let the ziti rest for a few minutes. Optionally garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Top Tips for Next-Level Baked Ziti

• Boost Pasta Tenderness: Ensure ziti is cooked al dente to prevent mushiness when baking, stopping cooking just before fully done.
• Drain Fat Thoroughly: Remove excess grease from beef completely to keep the dish from becoming oily and maintain a rich, clean flavor.
• Cheese Mixing Trick: Blend ricotta mixture gently to keep texture light and prevent overmixing, which can make the filling dense and tough.
• Layering Pro Tip: Create even layers for consistent flavor distribution, using a spatula to spread ingredients carefully across the baking dish.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternative for lighter protein options that still deliver great taste.

Store Baked Ziti and Warm It Up Later

• Transfer leftover baked ziti to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Separate individual portions for easier thawing and reheating.
• Place a single serving on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place ziti in a baking dish, add a splash of water or extra marinara sauce to prevent drying, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated completely.

What Tastes Great with Baked Ziti

• Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich tomato and beef flavors, cutting through the creamy cheese with its bright acidity.
• Serve with crusty garlic bread or focaccia to soak up the delicious meat sauce and provide a crunchy textural contrast to the soft pasta dish.
• Prepare a crisp mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing to balance the heaviness of the baked ziti, adding a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, cheesy casserole.
• Offer a cold Italian-style beer like Peroni or Moretti, which provides a clean, crisp finish that helps cleanse the palate between bites of the hearty pasta.

Fresh Baked Ziti Ideas to Try Out

• Vegetarian Ziti: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms for a meat-free version. Use vegetable marinara sauce and continue with original recipe steps.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional ziti pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute ziti with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Reduce cheese quantity and use lean ground turkey for a lighter protein option.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Add red pepper flakes to meat sauce, incorporate crumbled feta cheese, and sprinkle fresh oregano for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.

All Your Baked Ziti Questions Answered

• What makes this Baked Ziti different from other pasta dishes?

This Baked Ziti combines layered pasta, meat sauce, and three types of cheese for a rich, hearty meal that delivers restaurant-quality flavor right at home.

• Can I use a different type of ground meat?

Yes, you can easily substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even Italian sausage for a different taste profile without changing the core recipe.

• Is this recipe considered budget-friendly?

Absolutely! This Baked Ziti uses common ingredients like ground beef, pasta, marinara sauce, and standard cheeses, making it an affordable meal that feeds multiple people without breaking the bank.

• How can I make this dish healthier?

You can reduce fat by using lean ground beef, part-skim ricotta cheese, and adding extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini to the meat sauce for increased nutrition.

Baked Ziti Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets Italian-American cuisine in this mouthwatering Baked Ziti, a cheesy pasta casserole loaded with rich marinara and melted mozzarella. Hearty layers of pasta, sauce, and three kinds of cheese promise a satisfying meal that brings warmth to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (or Italian sausage)

Pasta and Base Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ziti pasta
• 1 (28 ounces / 794 grams) jar marinara or pasta sauce

Cheese and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) container ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: chopped parsley or basil, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a moderate temperature of 350F (175C) and prepare a rectangular baking vessel with a light coating of cooking spray.
2. Prepare the pasta in boiling water until it reaches a tender yet firm consistency, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
3. In a spacious skillet, transform the ground meat and diced aromatics into a rich, caramelized mixture, carefully eliminating excess oils. Introduce minced garlic and allow it to release its fragrant essence.
4. Infuse the meat with vibrant marinara, complementing it with traditional Italian herb blend, and season with salt and pepper. Allow the sauce to gently simmer and develop depth of flavor.
5. Create a creamy base by blending soft ricotta, a whisked egg, aged Parmesan, and a portion of shredded mozzarella until smooth and well incorporated.
6. Construct alternating layers within the prepared dish: first a bed of pasta, then a generous spread of meat sauce, followed by dollops of the cheese mixture. Repeat this layering process to build complexity.
7. Crown the casserole with the remaining mozzarella, ensuring complete coverage.
8. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake until heated through. Remove the protective covering and continue baking until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
9. Allow the dish to rest briefly, permitting the layers to settle and flavors to meld. Optionally, scatter fresh herbs across the surface for a final flourish of color and aroma.

Notes

• Experiment with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, healthier protein alternative that adds variety without sacrificing flavor.
• Drain ricotta cheese overnight in a cheesecloth to remove excess moisture, ensuring a thicker and creamier cheese layer that holds together perfectly.
• For gluten-free options, swap traditional ziti with gluten-free pasta and verify all sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Make ahead and freeze the entire casserole unbaked for convenient meal prep, storing up to 3 months in an airtight container with careful wrapping to prevent freezer burn.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg