This Easy Baked Ziti recipe is classic Italian comfort food: tender ziti or penne tossed with a rich tomato and beef sauce, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and freshly grated Parmesan. It’s simple to make, feeds a crowd, and delivers all the satisfying flavors of lasagna with less fuss.
Baked ziti captures the deep aromatic flavors of a baked pasta—saucy, cheesy, and comforting—without the time-consuming layering of lasagna. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly dish that invites seconds and makes great leftovers.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
- Kid-friendly: The familiar pasta and cheese combo appeals to kids, who often enjoy helping assemble the dish.
- Full flavor: A hearty meat sauce combined with creamy ricotta and melted cheeses gives the dish depth and comfort.
- Feeds a crowd: This casserole makes a generous amount—perfect for family dinners or potlucks, with leftovers for the next day.
Recipe Ingredients
This casserole uses simple pantry ingredients: pasta, tomato sauce, ground meat, and a trio of cheeses. Most items are likely already in your kitchen.
- Pasta: Classic choices are ziti or penne; tube-shaped pastas hold sauce well.
- Olive oil: Or any neutral cooking oil to sauté aromatics and brown the meat.
- Onion: A small yellow or white onion, diced (shallots work too).
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic for best flavor; garlic powder can be substituted in a pinch.
- Ground meat: Ground beef is traditional, but turkey, chicken, or pork also work.
- Seasonings: Sweet paprika, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Tomato sauce: Canned tomato sauce, jarred pasta sauce, or homemade sauce all work.
- Cheeses: Ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and freshly grated Parmesan.
- Garnish: Fresh chopped basil brightens the finished dish.
How to Make Baked Ziti
Follow these steps for a reliably delicious baked ziti with ground beef and three cheeses.
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Cook pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.
- Sauté: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook diced onion for about 2 minutes, add garlic for 20 seconds, then add ground beef. Season with paprika, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper and brown the meat, breaking it up as it cooks (about 5 minutes).
- Simmer sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce and water, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Combine: Add about 2 cups of the beef sauce to the cooked pasta and stir to coat.
- Assemble: Transfer pasta to the prepared baking dish. Dot several tablespoons of ricotta over the pasta in small mounds (about a tablespoon each so they melt evenly). Pour the remaining beef sauce over the pasta and top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake covered: Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes.
- Bake uncovered: Remove foil and bake an additional 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the casserole bubbles at the edges.
- Rest and serve: Let the dish rest 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped basil and serve.
Recipe Tips
- Reserve enough sauce: Keep a generous amount of sauce to pour over the pasta so it stays moist while baking.
- Improve ricotta: If your ricotta seems dry, stir in one egg before dolloping it over the pasta—this gives creamier results.
- Cheese options: Full-fat cheeses yield the best melt and flavor; low-fat versions may not become as gooey.
- Make it spicy: Add 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes to the sauce if you like heat.
Serving Suggestions
Serve baked ziti with a crusty loaf of Italian bread, garlic bread, or a cheesy skillet bread. A side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad tossed with a simple Italian vinaigrette balances the meal nicely.
Make It Ahead
You can assemble baked ziti ahead of time and freeze the whole dish for a ready-made meal. Wrap tightly, label with baking instructions, and freeze for a convenient gift or a freezer meal for someone in need.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for 3–5 months.
- Reheat in the oven until warmed through; add a splash of tomato sauce or a little water to prevent drying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Tube-shaped pastas like penne, ziti, or rigatoni work best because they trap sauce and cheese. Shapes like bowties also work. Avoid thin long pastas like spaghetti or angel hair for this baked casserole.
Yes—finely minced carrots, celery, mushrooms, spinach, kale, peas, or roasted eggplant can be added to the sauce to boost nutrition and flavor.
Absolutely. Ground turkey, chicken, or pork are good alternatives. You can also use Italian sausage or chopped leftover meatballs for a different flavor profile.
More Easy Pasta Recipes
- Baked Cream Cheese Pasta With Shrimp
- Rasta Pasta Salad
- Boursin Pasta
- Tuscan Baked Rigatoni
Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ziti or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 4 cups tomato sauce (about 2 cans)
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup ricotta
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh chopped basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook about 2 minutes, then stir in garlic and cook 20 seconds.
- Add ground beef and season with paprika, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook about 5 minutes until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir in tomato sauce and water. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Stir about 2 cups of the meat sauce into the cooked pasta. Transfer pasta to the prepared baking dish. Dot with several tablespoons of ricotta in small mounds (about a tablespoon each). Pour remaining sauce over the pasta and top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10–12 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted. Let rest 5 minutes, garnish with chopped basil, and serve.
Video
Nutrition
| Carbohydrates: 37g
| Protein: 31g
| Fat: 28g
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Values may vary according to ingredients and preparation; use your preferred calculator for exact data.
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