The Ultimate Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipe Everyone Will Love

Crafting the best baked ziti ever demands a simple yet magical approach that turns ordinary ingredients into something spectacular.

Pasta lovers understand the comfort this classic dish brings to dinner tables.

Layers of melted cheese, robust marinara, and perfectly cooked noodles create a symphony of flavors.

Nonna’s secret techniques blend seamlessly with modern cooking shortcuts.

Herbs and spices dance through each bite, promising a memorable meal.

Cheese bubbles and golden edges hint at the deliciousness waiting to be savored.

You can transform this recipe into your signature comfort food that everyone will request again and again.

How To Serve Baked Ziti Impressively

• Family Feast Companion: Serve this ziti with a crisp green salad tossed in Italian vinaigrette for a balanced meal that brings everyone together.
• Hearty Side Kick: Warm garlic bread or crusty sourdough slices make perfect companions to soak up the delicious sauce and add extra texture.
• Wine Pairing Wonder: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, savory flavors of the baked ziti and enhance the dining experience.
• Veggie Boost: Add a quick side of roasted broccoli or sautéed zucchini to increase nutritional value and create a more colorful plate that feels fresh and satisfying.

Storing Best Baked Ziti For Later

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the ziti stays fresh and delicious.
• Wrap the baked ziti tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350F, cover with foil, and warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the top.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute ziti with other tube-shaped pasta like penne or rigatoni. The recipe will still turn out delicious.

• Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply omit the ground beef or sausage and add more vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini to boost flavor and nutrition.

• How can I make the dish less rich?

Use part-skim ricotta cheese, reduce the amount of mozzarella, and choose lean ground meat to cut down on calories and fat content.

• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the ziti completely and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.

Best Baked Ziti Ever Steals The Show

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Delivers a hearty, satisfying meal that brings everyone together with its rich, cheesy goodness and robust flavors.
• Minimal Prep Magic: Requires simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it perfect for home cooks of all skill levels who want a delicious dinner without complicated techniques.
• Customizable Delight: Easily adaptable to personal preferences by swapping ground beef with sausage, using different cheese blends, or adding extra vegetables for a personalized touch.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: Can be assembled in advance and refrigerated, then baked when ready to serve, offering ultimate convenience for busy families and meal planners.

Baked Ziti Ever – Must-Have Ingredients

• Ground Beef or Sausage: A flavorful meat base that adds richness and depth to the ziti sauce.

• Ziti Pasta: A classic tubular pasta that perfectly holds the sauce and creates a hearty texture.

• Ricotta Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: A creamy and melty combination that provides a luxurious, gooey texture and rich flavor to the dish.

• Marinara Sauce: A classic tomato-based sauce that brings tangy and vibrant flavor to the ziti.
• Garlic, Basil, Oregano: Aromatic herbs and spices that enhance the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the flavors.

• Egg: Helps bind the ricotta cheese mixture and adds a subtle richness to the dish.

Simple Steps For Baked Ziti Ever

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) to get things rolling.

Step 2: Cook Pasta to Perfection

Boil the ziti according to package directions until al dente.

Drain completely and set aside.

Step 3: Brown the Meat and Build Flavor

In a large skillet, cook your chosen protein (ground beef or sausage) with minced garlic until it’s beautifully browned.

Drain any excess fat.

• Ground beef or sausage
• Minced garlic
• Marinara sauce
• Dried basil
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper

Pour in marinara sauce and sprinkle in herbs and seasonings.

Let the mixture simmer and get super delicious for about 10 minutes.

Step 4: Create Creamy Cheese Mixture

• Ricotta cheese
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Egg
• Pinch of salt

Whisk everything together until smooth and well-blended.

Step 5: Layer Like a Pro

Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and start building your ziti layers:

First round: Half the ziti, half the meat sauce, half the ricotta mixture, half the mozzarella cheese

Second round: Repeat the same layering process

Step 6: Bake to Bubbly Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and slide into the preheated oven.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the top turns golden and everything looks irresistibly bubbly.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes.

This helps it set and makes serving easier.

Slice, serve, and watch everyone dive in with excitement!

Best Tips For Baked Ziti Every Time

• Choose lean ground beef or Italian sausage for rich, authentic flavor without excess grease.
• Mix ricotta with Parmesan to create a creamy, tangy filling that enhances the overall texture of the dish.
• Drain pasta and meat thoroughly to prevent watery sauce and ensure a perfectly textured baked ziti.
• Distribute ingredients evenly in each layer to guarantee every bite contains a delicious mix of pasta, sauce, and cheese.
• Cover with foil during initial baking to protect top from burning and maintain moisture in the casserole.

Flavorful Options For Baked Ziti Fans

• Vegetarian Ziti: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms. Use marinara sauce and follow original recipe steps for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap ziti pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Spicy Mediterranean Ziti: Add red pepper flakes, chopped kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Use spicy marinara sauce for extra kick.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute ziti with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Keep cheese and sauce components the same for a lighter dish.

Best Baked Ziti Ever Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort classics get a delicious upgrade with this mouthwatering Best Baked Ziti Ever recipe, blending rich Italian flavors and hearty ingredients. Creamy pasta, melted cheese, and savory marinara create a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 jar (24 ounces / 680 grams) marinara sauce

Cheese Ingredients:

• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasoning and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375F (190C), preparing a spacious 9×13-inch baking dish for a hearty Italian-inspired casserole.
2. Cook ziti pasta in generously salted boiling water until al dente, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
3. Brown ground meat in a large skillet, incorporating minced garlic until fragrant and meat is completely cooked. Drain any accumulated fat.
4. Pour marinara sauce into the meat, enriching with dried herbs and seasonings. Allow mixture to simmer and develop flavors for approximately 10 minutes.
5. Whisk ricotta cheese with grated Parmesan, beaten egg, and a subtle salt seasoning until smooth and well-combined.
6. Create first pasta layer by spreading half the cooked ziti across baking dish’s bottom, followed by an even distribution of meat sauce.
7. Carefully spread half the creamy ricotta mixture over sauce, then sprinkle generously with mozzarella cheese.
8. Repeat layering process with remaining pasta, sauce, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella, creating a beautiful stratified casserole.
9. Shield dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
10. Remove foil and continue baking 10-15 minutes until cheese turns golden and edges become deliciously bubbly.
11. Allow casserole to rest 5 minutes before serving, enabling ingredients to settle and flavors to intensify.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or mushrooms for a vegetarian version that maintains rich, hearty flavor.
• Experiment with gluten-free pasta to make this dish celiac-friendly without compromising texture and taste.
• Use part-skim cheeses to reduce overall calorie content while keeping the ziti creamy and satisfying.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline cooking process and make weeknight dinner preparation stress-free.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 514 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg