Discover the best homemade baked ziti recipe that’s cheesy, comforting, and easy to make! Packed with pasta, rich marinara, and gooey melted cheese, this dish is perfect for family dinners or special occasions. A crowd-pleaser everyone will love!
This baked ziti recipe is the ultimate easy weeknight dinner that’s sure to become a family favorite. With just a few simple ingredients like ziti pasta, ground beef or sausage, marinara sauce, and plenty of cheese, it comes together quickly and delivers on flavor. The combination of seasoned meat sauce, creamy ricotta filling, and gooey melted mozzarella creates the perfect cheesy, hearty dish. It’s ideal for busy nights when you need a comforting meal everyone will love. Plus, it’s great for leftovers, making it a meal you can enjoy more than once!
Making this baked ziti is a breeze! Start by cooking the ziti pasta until it’s al dente and set it aside. Then, brown the ground meat with onions and garlic, adding in your seasonings for a flavorful base. Once the meat sauce simmers with marinara and crushed tomatoes, you’ll prepare the cheesy filling by mixing ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and a bit of egg to bind it all together. Layering is the fun part—spread some of the meat sauce in the bottom of a baking dish, add a layer of pasta, then dollop and spread the ricotta mixture before repeating with more sauce and pasta. Top it all off with a generous amount of shredded mozzarella and parmesan, cover, and bake until golden and bubbly. The result is a warm, cheesy dish that’s perfect for a quick family dinner!
Why You’ll Love This Baked Ziti Recipe
- This baked ziti recipe is super easy to make, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick and satisfying meal.
- The combination of rich marinara sauce, savory ground meat, and a creamy cheese filling creates the best baked ziti that’s full of flavor.
- This dish is great for feeding a crowd or a hungry family, as it’s hearty and sure to please everyone at the table.
- You can prepare this baked ziti ahead of time, making it a convenient option for meal prep or family gatherings.
- The gooey melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Ingredients to Make the Best Baked Ziti Recipe
- 1 lb. ziti pasta noodle
- 1 lb. ground beef or ground sausage
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 tsp. minced garlic
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning, divided
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt, divided
- 1 1/2 tsp. black pepper, divided
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 45 oz. bottle marinara sauce
- 14.5 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 16 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 15 oz. ricotta cheese
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 egg
How To Make Homemade Baked Ziti
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350F and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with baking spray
Step 2: Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.
Step 3: In a large skillet add ground beef and chopped onion and cook over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
Step 4: Stir in minced garlic, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. black pepper, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
Step 5: Add crushed tomatoes and marinara sauce. Bring to a simmer stirring occasionally for 5-6 minutes.
Step 6: While sauce is simmering, prepare cheese filling. In a medium size mixing bowl combine ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper and egg until well combined.
Step 7: In a prepared 9×13 baking dish spread 1 1/2 cups meat sauce evenly on the bottom of the dish.
Step 8: Spread 1/2 of the cooked pasta over sauce.
Step 9: Dollop Spoonfuls of ricotta cheese mixture over noodles and spread.
Step 10: Spread half of the marinara sauce over cheese and top with remaining noodles.
Step 11: Spread remaining sauce over noodles and top with remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese.
Step 12: Spray aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray, cover and bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove cover and bake an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese has completely melted.
Step 13: Serve immediately. Enjoy
Popular Substitutions & Additions
Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or sausage to change up the flavor of the meat sauce.
For a vegetarian version, use sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach in place of the meat.
Add a layer of fresh basil or spinach between the pasta and cheese layers for extra flavor and nutrients.
Use gluten-free pasta if you’re looking to make this baked ziti recipe gluten-free.
Storing Leftover Easy Baked Ziti
To store leftover easy baked ziti, allow the dish to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked ziti in a freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through. You can also microwave individual servings for a quicker option.
What to Serve with this Baked Ziti Recipe
I typically serve this baked ziti recipe with an Italian salad and a side of bread. My go-to bread recipe is this Easy Homemade Breadsticks Recipe. They taste just like Olive Garden!
Best Baked Ziti Recipe FAQ’s
Can I make this baked ziti ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the baked ziti a day ahead and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, just pop it in the oven and follow the baking instructions.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
While ziti is traditional, you can easily swap it for penne, rigatoni, or any pasta shape you prefer.
What can I use instead of ricotta cheese?
If you don’t have ricotta, you can substitute it with cottage cheese or even a dairy-free ricotta for a lighter or vegan-friendly option.
Can I add vegetables to this baked ziti recipe?
Yes! You can add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the meat sauce or layer them between the pasta and cheese for extra flavor and nutrition.
Other Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
- Crock Pot Italian Sausage Penne Pasta
- The Best Baked Italian Meatball Sliders
- Instant Pot Rigatoni And Meatballs
- Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
- Baked Cheese Tortellini
- Lasagna Roll Ups
Don’t forget to come back and tell us how your Best Homemade Baked Ziti Recipe turned out!
The Best Homemade Baked Ziti Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ziti pasta noodle
- 1 lb. ground beef or ground sausage
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 tsp. minced garlic
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning, divided
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt, divided
- 1 1/2 tsp. black pepper, divided
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 45 oz. bottle marinara sauce
- 14.5 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 16 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 15 oz. ricotta cheese
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with baking spray
- Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet add ground beef and chopped onion and cook over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in minced garlic, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. black pepper, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Add crushed tomatoes and marinara sauce. Bring to a simmer stirring occasionally for 5-6 minutes.
- While sauce is simmering, prepare cheese filling. In a medium size mixing bowl combine ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper and egg until well combined.
- In a prepared 9×13 baking dish spread 1 1/2 cups meat sauce evenly on the bottom of the dish.
- Spread 1/2 of the cooked pasta over sauce.
- Dollop Spoonfuls of ricotta cheese mixture over noodles and spread.
- Spread half of the marinara sauce over cheese and top with remaining noodles.
- Spread remaining sauce over noodles and top with remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese.
- Spray aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray, cover and bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove cover and bake an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese has completely melted.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy
