Baked Ziti: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Will Love

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Hearty & Comforting: A satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
• Cheesy Layers: Creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan create indulgent texture and flavor.
• Flexible: Easily customize with or without meat to suit your preferences.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble in advance for stress-free cooking.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
• 1 onion, diced
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
• 1 can (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent. If using, add ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking into small pieces. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
5. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, oregano, and basil. Mix until smooth.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta with the sauce mixture, ensuring pasta is well-coated.
7. In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half the pasta mixture. Dollop half the ricotta mixture over the pasta, then sprinkle with half the mozzarella. Repeat layers with remaining pasta, ricotta, and mozzarella.
8. Sprinkle grated Parmesan evenly over the top.
9. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
10. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Variations

• Vegetarian: Omit meat and add sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
• Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or spicy Italian sausage for heat.
• Cheese Mix: Use provolone or fontina instead of mozzarella for a different flavor.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure marinara sauce is gluten-free.

Storage/Reheating

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in the oven covered with foil or microwave individual portions.
• Freeze assembled but uncooked casserole for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before baking.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the casserole and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I use fresh pasta?

Yes, adjust cooking time as fresh pasta cooks faster.

What’s the best pasta shape?

Ziti or penne hold sauce well, but rigatoni or shells work too.

How do I prevent the casserole from drying out?

Cover with foil during baking and avoid overcooking.

Can I make this vegan?

Use plant-based cheese and meat substitutes.

Can I use canned tomatoes instead of marinara?

Yes, but add herbs and seasoning to enhance flavor.

How can I make it creamier?

Add a bit of heavy cream or béchamel sauce to the cheese mixture.

Do I need to cook the pasta before baking?

Yes, al dente pasta absorbs flavors better and prevents mushiness.

Can I add more cheese?

Absolutely, extra cheese can be added to taste.

How long can I freeze leftovers?

Up to 2 months is best for optimal flavor and texture.

Conclusion

This Baked Ziti recipe is a deliciously cheesy, hearty dish perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests. With layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and creamy cheeses, it offers comforting flavors everyone will love. Easy to prepare and customizable, it’s a classic you’ll return to time and again.

Baked Ziti: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Will Love

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• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

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Description

Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American classic layering tender pasta with savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, baked to bubbly, golden perfection.

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Ingredients

1 pound ziti or penne pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)

1 onion, diced

2–3 cloves garlic, minced

1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce

1 can (15 ounces) ricotta cheese

1 egg

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper, to taste

Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent.
4. If using meat, add ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking into small pieces.
5. Add minced garlic and cook another minute.
6. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
7. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, oregano, and basil. Mix until smooth.
8. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta with the sauce mixture, ensuring pasta is well-coated.
9. In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half the pasta mixture. Dollop half the ricotta mixture over the pasta, then sprinkle with half the mozzarella. Repeat layers.
10. Sprinkle grated Parmesan evenly over the top.
11. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
12. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

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Notes

Omit meat and add sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach for a vegetarian version.

Add red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage for heat.

Use provolone or fontina instead of mozzarella for different cheese flavors.

Use gluten-free pasta and marinara sauce for gluten-free option.

Refrigerate leftovers in airtight container up to 3 days.

Reheat covered in oven or microwave individual portions.

Freeze assembled but uncooked casserole up to 2 months; thaw overnight before baking.

Assemble ahead and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Adjust cooking time for fresh pasta as it cooks faster.

Use rigatoni or shells as pasta alternatives.

Cover casserole during baking to prevent drying out.

Add heavy cream or béchamel sauce to cheese mixture for creamier texture.

Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushiness.

Add extra cheese to taste.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 95mg