Baked Ziti
This Baked Ziti is saucy, cheesy, and perfectly baked—never dry or bland. With tender pasta, rich marinara, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, it’s a classic Italian-American comfort food that’s easy to make, great for feeding a crowd, and ideal for make-ahead meals or freezing.
Ingredients
- Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta cooked al dente
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage optional
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- Flavor Base
- 4 –5 cups marinara sauce
- 15 oz whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Pantry Staples
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prep
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook ziti in well-salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauce
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook 2–3 minutes until soft.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add ground beef or sausage (if using) and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Ricotta Mixture
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Assemble & Bake
- Combine cooked pasta with most of the meat sauce.
- Spread half of the pasta mixture into the baking dish.
- Dollop and spread half of the ricotta mixture over pasta.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Repeat layers with remaining pasta, ricotta, and cheese.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake 15–20 minutes more until bubbly and golden.
- Finish
- Rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
- Use plenty of sauce—this keeps the pasta moist after baking.
- Don’t overcook the pasta; it finishes cooking in the oven.
- Resting time helps the layers set for cleaner slices.