Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipe: An Italian Classic

Baked ziti is the kind of dish that brings warmth and comfort to the table with every serving.

Tender pasta is layered with creamy ricotta, savory tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese, creating a meal that feels both hearty and inviting.

As it bakes, the noodles absorb the rich flavors of the sauce, while the top develops a golden, bubbly crust that promises something special in every bite.

This recipe is simple enough for busy weeknights yet impressive enough to serve to family and friends.

The combination of Italian-inspired ingredients delivers balance—creamy, savory, and cheesy all at once.

From the very first forkful, baked ziti proves itself to be a crowd-pleasing favorite that never goes out of style.

Baked Ziti Recipe That Brings Comfort

• Simplify Meal Prep: Create a delicious dinner with minimal ingredients and straightforward steps that anyone can master, even if you’re not a seasoned chef.
• Perfect Family Comfort Food: Deliver a crowd-pleasing dish that brings everyone together, packed with cheesy goodness and familiar flavors kids and adults will love.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Transform basic pantry staples into a satisfying meal that requires minimal cooking skills and delivers maximum flavor in under an hour.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Customize the recipe by adding ground meat, swapping cheeses, or incorporating vegetables to suit different tastes and dietary preferences.

Ingredients for Baked Ziti Recipe

• Ziti Pasta: A classic tube-shaped pasta that holds sauce beautifully and provides a hearty base for the baked dish.

• Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: These cheeses create a creamy, rich, and flavorful layered texture that melts perfectly in the baked ziti.

• Egg, Spaghetti Sauce, Salt: The egg helps bind the ingredients together, while the spaghetti sauce adds moisture and depth of flavor to the dish.

• Non-Stick Cooking Spray or Butter: This ensures the baked ziti does not stick to the baking dish and helps achieve a clean serving.

How to Prepare Baked Ziti Recipe

Tips for Perfect Baked Ziti Recipe

• Swap regular pasta for whole wheat ziti to boost nutritional value and add more fiber to the dish.
• Use low-fat ricotta and mozzarella cheeses to create a lighter version without compromising taste.
• Enhance flavor by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano before baking for an extra aromatic touch.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time to make assembly quicker and reduce overall cooking stress.
• Allow the baked ziti to cool slightly before serving to help it set and make cutting easier, preventing a runny consistency.

Variations on Baked Ziti Recipe

• Gluten-Free Ziti: Replace traditional ziti pasta with gluten-free penne or rice pasta for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring the same creamy texture and rich flavor.
• Vegetable-Packed Ziti: Add roasted zucchini, spinach, and bell peppers to boost nutritional value and create a more colorful, nutrient-dense meal.
• Protein-Enhanced Ziti: Incorporate ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles to increase protein content and add a hearty dimension to the classic recipe.
• Mediterranean-Style Ziti: Swap traditional sauce with a lighter tomato base, add crumbled feta cheese, and sprinkle with fresh basil and oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired version.

Pairing Ideas for Baked Ziti Recipe

• Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, cheesy ziti and enhance the tomato sauce’s acidity.
• Create a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the heavy, creamy pasta dish and add a refreshing contrast to the warm, cheesy baked ziti.
• Serve warm, toasted garlic bread or rustic Italian bread to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a delightful textural element alongside the pasta.
• Opt for a cold, sparkling Italian soda or a light beer like Peroni to cut through the richness and cleanse the palate between bites.

Storage Advice for Baked Ziti Recipe

• Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, ensuring freshness and preventing bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled ziti to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, label with the date, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Avoid freezing dishes with fresh vegetables or cream-based sauces.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place ziti in a baking dish, cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying, and warm for 20-25 minutes. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to maintain moisture and prevent burning.

FAQs

Baked Ziti Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting baked ziti recipe delivers hearty Italian-American pasta perfection with layers of rich marinara, melted cheeses, and savory ground beef. Pasta enthusiasts savor each cheesy, herb-infused bite that brings warmth to dinner tables.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 16 oz ziti pasta
• 15 oz ricotta cheese (full-fat)
• 2 cups (8 oz) mozzarella cheese (low-moisture)
• 1/2 cup (2 oz) parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• 24 oz spaghetti sauce
• 1 egg

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook ziti pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process.
3. In a mixing bowl, blend cooked ziti with ricotta, mozzarella, beaten egg, and 1 1/2 cups of spaghetti sauce. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
4. Spread the pasta mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining spaghetti sauce and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese across the surface.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and cheese melts completely. Allow the dish to rest for 15 minutes after removing from oven, letting flavors integrate and settle.

Notes

• Use high-quality, fresh mozzarella for the best melting texture and rich flavor profile.
• Experiment with different pasta shapes like rigatoni or penne if ziti is unavailable, maintaining similar cooking times.
• For a lighter version, substitute whole milk ricotta with part-skim ricotta and reduce overall cheese quantity.
• Add protein variety by mixing in cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, or plant-based crumbles before baking to enhance nutritional value.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg