Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipe: A Cozy Italian Comfort Classic

Comfort and warmth embrace you in this classic baked ziti that promises pure satisfaction.

Pasta lovers understand the magic of melted cheese and rich tomato sauce.

Layers of noodles create a hearty landscape of deliciousness waiting to be savored.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this simple yet incredible dish.

Italian-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly to create a crowd-pleasing meal.

Creamy ricotta and zesty marinara dance together in perfect harmony.

When you take that first cheesy bite, pure culinary joy will fill your kitchen.

FAQs

• Is baked ziti a vegetarian dish?

Baked ziti can be vegetarian if you use meatless marinara sauce and avoid adding meat. However, the traditional recipe includes cheese, which makes it suitable for vegetarians but not vegans.

• Can I make baked ziti ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dish in advance and refrigerate it. Assemble the ziti completely, cover with foil, and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.

• What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Ziti is the traditional pasta, but you can substitute with similar short tube pasta like penne or rigatoni. These pasta types hold sauce well and create a similar texture in the dish.

• How can I prevent my baked ziti from becoming dry?

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

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 375°F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray with non-stick cooking spray or butter to keep everything from sticking.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Boil a big pot of water with a sprinkle of salt. Toss in the ziti pasta and cook until it’s perfectly tender, about 8-10 minutes.

Drain the pasta and give it a quick cold water rinse to stop the cooking.

Step 3: Mix the Creamy Goodness

• Cooked ziti
• Ricotta cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Beaten egg
• Spaghetti sauce

Stir everything until it’s beautifully blended.

Step 4: Layer the Deliciousness

Spread the pasta mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Pour the remaining spaghetti sauce over the top and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 30 minutes. You’re looking for a golden-brown top and perfectly melted cheese.

Once done, let it rest for 15 minutes to let all those amazing flavors mingle and settle.

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.

Baked Ziti Recipe

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4.6 from 25 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: Lunch, 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