About this recipe
This Cheesy Baked Ziti is the kind of family dinner that feels cozy, filling, and easy to make. Pasta, simple meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and plenty of mozzarella bake together until hot, bubbly, and golden on top.
Ingredients
Pasta and sauce
- 12 oz ziti pasta (penne or rigatoni also work)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Cheese layer
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg (optional, helps set the ricotta layer)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, optional)
Equipment
Large Pot
Large Skillet
Baking Dish
Colander
Mixing Bowl
Instructions
- 1
Cook the pasta
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cook the ziti in salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 2
Make the meat sauce
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir in the garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- 3
Mix the cheese filling
In a bowl, stir together the ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg if using, and parsley until combined.
- 4
Assemble the ziti
Spread a little sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Layer in half the pasta, half the sauce, and spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture. Repeat with the remaining pasta and sauce.
- 5
Bake until bubbly
Top with the remaining mozzarella. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Cook pasta just al dente: The pasta will keep cooking in the oven, so drain it while it still has a little bite.
- Let it rest before serving: Resting for a few minutes helps the baked ziti hold together better when scooped.
- Use enough sauce: Baked pasta can dry out, so make sure the pasta is well coated before baking.
Substitutions
- Use sausage: Italian sausage can replace the ground beef for a stronger flavor.
- Make it meatless: Skip the beef and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or extra marinara sauce.
- Swap the pasta: Penne, rigatoni, or rotini can be used instead of ziti.
Storage
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezer: Freeze baked ziti in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Reheating: Reheat covered in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave individual portions with a splash of sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size
- Calories
- 540
- Protein
- 31g
- Carbohydrates
- 52g
- Fat
- 23g
- Fiber
- 4g
- Sugar
- 8g
- Sodium
- 890mg
FAQ
Can I make cheesy baked ziti ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble it up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
Do I have to use ricotta?
No. You can use cottage cheese, extra mozzarella, or skip the ricotta layer if you prefer a simpler baked pasta.
Can I freeze baked ziti before baking?
Yes. Assemble it in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking for best results.
Recipe Card
Cheesy Baked Ziti
A cozy baked pasta dinner with ziti, meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and a golden cheesy topping.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 6
- Category
- Family Dinner Ideas
- Cuisine
- Italian American
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- Budget-friendly
Ingredients
Pasta and sauce
- 12 oz ziti pasta (penne or rigatoni also work)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Cheese layer
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg (optional, helps set the ricotta layer)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cook the ziti in salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the meat sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir in the garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix the cheese filling: In a bowl, stir together the ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg if using, and parsley until combined.
- Assemble the ziti: Spread a little sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Layer in half the pasta, half the sauce, and spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture. Repeat with the remaining pasta and sauce.
- Bake until bubbly: Top with the remaining mozzarella. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
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