The Ultimate Weeknight Baked Ziti Recipe Your Family Will Love

Craving a delightful weeknight baked ziti that saves time and satisfies hunger?

Pasta lovers appreciate quick meals with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.

Comfort comes in layers of cheesy, saucy goodness that fill your kitchen with warmth.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a dish that feels like a warm embrace.

Melted cheese stretches between perfectly cooked noodles, promising a meal everyone will devour.

Straightforward preparation means you can have dinner ready faster than ordering takeout.

Dig into this simple yet spectacular ziti and watch smiles spread around the table.

Instructions to Bake Weeknight Ziti

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven and Boil Pasta

Get your oven warming to a toasty 375F and give a 9×13-inch baking dish a quick spray of cooking oil. Fill a big pot with water, sprinkle in some salt, and bring it to a rolling boil.

Toss in your pasta and cook it just until it’s almost done – about 5-6 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2: Craft a Hearty Meat Sauce

Grab a large skillet and crank up the heat to medium-high. Brown your ground beef or sausage, breaking it into tasty little pieces as it cooks.

If there’s extra grease, go ahead and drain it off. Shake in some Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, then pour in the marinara sauce.

Let this delicious mixture simmer for 10 minutes, letting all those flavors mingle.

Step 3: Whip Up the Creamy Cheese Blend

• Ricotta cheese
• Beaten eggs
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese

Stir everything until it’s smooth and well-mixed.

Step 4: Create a Silky Cream Base

In a saucepan, whisk cornstarch into heavy cream over medium heat. Keep stirring until the cream starts to thicken slightly, then remove from the heat.

Fold in the ricotta cheese mixture and a cup of marinara sauce.

Step 5: Build Your Ziti Masterpiece

Combine the drained pasta with the creamy ricotta sauce.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer everything to your prepared baking dish.

Spread the remaining marinara sauce on top and sprinkle with extra mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Step 6: Bake to Bubbly Perfection

Cover the dish with foil (spritz the foil with non-stick spray first).

Bake for 30 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 20 minutes until the cheese turns golden and starts bubbling.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Let your ziti sit for 10 minutes after pulling it from the oven. This helps it set up and makes serving easier.

Dig in and enjoy your delicious creation!

Tips for Weeknight Baked Ziti

• Slightly undercook pasta during boiling since it will continue baking in the oven, preventing mushy texture.
• Remove excess fat from ground meat to keep the dish lighter and prevent greasiness.
• Mix different cheese types for deeper flavor complexity and creamy consistency.
• Spray foil with nonstick spray to prevent cheese from sticking when covering the dish during initial baking.
• Allow ziti to rest 10 minutes after baking to help layers set and make serving easier.

Variations on Weeknight Baked Ziti

• Vegetarian Ziti Delight: Replace ground meat with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach for a hearty plant-based version. Add roasted red peppers for extra flavor complexity.
• Spicy Southwestern Ziti: Swap marinara for salsa, incorporate black beans, corn, and green chiles. Top with pepper jack cheese and cilantro for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Ziti: Mix in crumbled feta, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil. Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier profile.
• Seafood Ziti Fusion: Use shrimp or crab meat instead of ground beef. Add garlic, white wine, and fresh parsley. Incorporate light cream sauce for an elegant seafood transformation.

Pairings with Weeknight Baked Ziti

• Pair Perfectly Crisp White Wine: Refresh the rich, creamy ziti with a chilled pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc that cuts through the cheese's heaviness and complements the tomato sauce's acidity.
• Serve Bright Green Salad: Create a light counterpoint with a zesty arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette, which provides a crisp, tangy contrast to the hearty pasta dish.
• Match Herbed Garlic Bread: Craft crusty garlic bread with fresh parsley and thyme to soak up extra sauce, adding a crunchy texture and herbal notes that enhance the ziti's Mediterranean flavors.

Storing Weeknight Baked Ziti Properly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain texture.
• Pack baked ziti in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Stays fresh for 2-3 months.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs

• How do I prevent the pasta from becoming mushy?

Cook the pasta just shy of al dente (about 5-6 minutes) before baking. This ensures the pasta doesn’t overcook during the baking process and maintains a perfect texture.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the baked ziti and refrigerate it before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

• What's the purpose of the cornstarch in the cream?

The cornstarch helps thicken the cream and creates a smoother, more cohesive sauce that binds the ricotta mixture and adds richness to the dish.

Why Weeknight Baked Ziti is a Winner

• Conquer Weeknight Dinner Stress: This baked ziti transforms a potentially complicated meal into a simple, stress-free cooking experience that delivers restaurant-quality results right at home.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Packed with melted cheese, hearty meat sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish guarantees smiles from kids and adults alike, making it perfect for family gatherings or casual dinner parties.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ground beef for sausage, add extra vegetables, or adjust spice levels to match your family's taste preferences, making this recipe incredibly flexible and adaptable to different dietary needs.
• Minimal Cleanup Champion: Using just a few pans and a baking dish, this one-pan wonder minimizes kitchen mess and reduces post-dinner cleanup time, letting you spend more time enjoying your meal and less time scrubbing dishes.

Ingredients for Weeknight Baked Ziti

• Ziti: A classic pasta shape perfect for baked dishes with its tubular structure that holds sauce beautifully.

• Ground Beef, Ground Sausage: Adds rich, hearty flavor and protein to the dish.

• Ricotta Cheese: Provides a creamy, smooth texture to the pasta mixture.
• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Delivers melty, stretchy, and sharp cheese flavors for ultimate comfort.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, velvety sauce base with added richness.
• Eggs: Helps bind the ricotta mixture and adds structure.

• Marinara Sauce: Brings classic tomato flavor and moisture to the dish.
• Italian Seasoning: Provides a blend of herbs that enhances the overall taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a subtle, warming heat to the recipe.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances and balances the overall flavor profile.

• Cornstarch: Helps create a smooth, slightly thickened cream sauce.

• Nonstick Spray: Ensures easy release and prevents sticking.
• Aluminum Foil: Helps control moisture and prevent excessive browning during baking.

Weeknight Baked Ziti Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Comforting weeknight baked ziti brings Italian-American pasta magic straight to your dinner table. Cheesy layers of rigatoni, marinara, and melted mozzarella create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 1 lb (454 g) dry ziti

Meats:

• 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef or mild Italian sausage

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Sauces and Dairy:

• 4 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 lb (454 g) ricotta cheese
• 1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated (divided)
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, chopped into 1/4-inch cubes (divided)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the foundation by heating the oven to 375°F and coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light grease layer.
2. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta until slightly undercooked, approximately 5-6 minutes. Drain and reserve.
3. In a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, thoroughly brown the meat, separating into small fragments. Eliminate excess fat if necessary.
4. Incorporate Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, and marinara sauce into the meat. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes, developing rich flavors.
5. Create a creamy blend by whisking ricotta with eggs, mixing in half the Parmesan and mozzarella until uniform.
6. Generate a luxurious cream base by whisking cornstarch into heavy cream over medium heat. Stir continuously until slightly thickened, then remove from heat.
7. Fold the ricotta mixture and one cup of marinara into the cream sauce, creating a cohesive mixture.
8. Merge the drained pasta with the ricotta cream sauce, seasoning with salt and pepper for balanced taste.
9. Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
10. Ladle remaining marinara across the surface and generously scatter remaining cheese on top.
11. Shield with nonstick-sprayed foil and bake for 30 minutes.
12. Uncover and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
13. Allow the dish to rest for 10 minutes before serving, permitting flavors to settle and stabilize.

Notes

• Choose ground beef or Italian sausage for extra flavor, ensuring the meat is browned thoroughly and excess fat is drained to prevent a greasy dish.
• Cook pasta slightly underdone since it will continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy texture and maintaining perfect al dente consistency.
• Experiment with cheese variations like adding provolone or using a blend of different Italian cheeses for more complex flavor profiles.
• Make this dish vegetarian by substituting meat with roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or mushrooms, maintaining the rich and satisfying texture.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 557 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 33 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg