Baked Ziti

A bubbling tray of cheese, al dente pasta, and a rich, savory sauce makes Baked Ziti a perfect crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or potlucks.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 servings

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

Pasta and Sauce

12 oz Ziti pasta Can substitute with penne or rigatoni
24 oz Marinara sauce Use quality jarred or homemade sauce
1 cup Ricotta cheese Use whole-milk ricotta for richer texture
2 cups Mozzarella cheese Low-moisture whole-milk for best results
0.5 cup Parmesan cheese For topping

Meat and Aromatics

1 lb Ground beef or sausage Can use Italian sausage as variation
2 cloves Garlic Minced
1 medium Onion Chopped
1 tbsp Olive oil For sautéing
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp Salt Adjust to taste
0.5 tsp Pepper Adjust to taste

Instructions

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions; drain.
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, add chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until soft.
Add ground beef or sausage, cooking until browned. Drain excess fat.
Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning; simmer for 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, meat sauce, ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, salt, and pepper.
Pour the mixture into a baking dish, top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Baking

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Use slightly undercooked pasta for a firmer texture. If the bake is watery, drain ricotta and simmer the sauce longer. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

Keyword Baked Ziti, Cheesy Pasta, comfort food, Family Recipe, Pasta Bake