Baked Ziti – Easy, Cheesy, Family-Friendly Pasta Bake

When it comes to classic crowd-pleasers, Baked Ziti always delivers. This comforting pasta bake is loaded with tender ziti noodles, hearty marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, creamy ricotta, and Parmesan cheese-baked until bubbly and golden on top.

It’s like lasagna’s easygoing cousin- all the cheesy, saucy goodness you love, but with less layering and more simplicity. Whether you’re feeding a family, prepping for a potluck, or freezing meals for later, this baked ziti is hearty, satisfying, and guaranteed to bring everyone back for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Baked Ziti is the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table-and keeps them coming back for seconds. Whether you’re a beginner cook or a seasoned home chef, this dish is approachable, customizable, and always satisfying. Here’s why it’s a must-make-

✔️ Simple, Familiar Ingredients – No Fuss, All Flavor
You won’t need anything fancy or hard to find-just classic pantry staples like pasta, marinara, cheese, and a few seasonings. This makes it ideal for weeknights, picky eaters, or when you need something comforting and straightforward.

✔️ Make-Ahead Friendly – Great for Busy Weeknights or Meal Prep
Life gets hectic, but dinner doesn’t have to be. You can assemble the ziti in advance and pop it in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to bake. It’s perfect for prepping on Sundays and enjoying midweek without stress.

✔️ Customizable – Make It Your Way
This baked pasta is incredibly versatile. Want to add ground beef or Italian sausage? Go for it. Prefer extra veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini? Toss them in. You can also mix and match cheeses or add a spicy kick to make it your own.

✔️ Comforting & Hearty – Classic Family Dinner Vibes
When you want something warm, filling, and guaranteed to please a crowd, this is your go-to. It’s cheesy, saucy, and baked to golden perfection-pure comfort food with every bite.

💡 Pro Tip- Use a high-quality jarred marinara or make your own with garlic, herbs, and crushed tomatoes to really elevate the flavor. A good sauce makes all the difference!

Ingredients

• 1 lb ziti pasta (or penne)
• 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1½ cups whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• Optional- chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until just under al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than package instructions). Drain and set aside.

2️⃣ Sauté Garlic
In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5–7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3️⃣ Make Ricotta Mixture
In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, half of the Parmesan, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

4️⃣ Assemble the Ziti
In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with half of the sauce. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer as follows-

• Half the sauced pasta
• Spoon dollops of ricotta mixture
• Sprinkle half the mozzarella
• Repeat layers, ending with remaining sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan

5️⃣ Bake
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let cool 5–10 minutes before serving.

Recipe Variations

One of the best things about Baked Ziti is how easy it is to customize. Whether you’re feeding meat-lovers, vegetarians, or gluten-free eaters, this recipe adapts beautifully to your preferences. Try one of these delicious variations to make it your own-

🔹 Meaty Version – For a Heartier, Protein-Packed Dish
Add 1 lb of ground beef, Italian sausage, or a combination of both to your sauce.

• Brown the meat in a skillet with a little olive oil before adding the marinara sauce.
• This gives your ziti a rich, savory boost and turns it into a complete, stick-to-your-ribs meal.

💡 Want even more flavor? Use spicy sausage for a smoky, bold twist.

🔹 Vegetable Boost – Add Color, Texture, and Nutrition
Sneak in extra veggies for a wholesome, filling meal without sacrificing flavor. Great options include-

• Sautéed spinach – Adds a pop of green and blends into the cheese beautifully
• Mushrooms – Meaty and umami-rich, perfect with marinara
• Zucchini or eggplant – Dice, sauté, and stir in with the sauce

💡 Vegetarian bonus- This is a great way to turn baked ziti into a full veggie-friendly main dish.

🔹 Extra Cheesy – Because More Cheese = More Comfort
If you’re all about ooey-gooey, melty cheese, take your ziti up a notch by adding-

• Shredded provolone – Mild and stretchy
• Fontina or gouda – Melts like a dream and adds depth
• Fresh mozzarella balls – For gooey cheese pockets throughout

Layer the extra cheese in between the pasta or scatter it generously on top for a golden crust.

🔹 Spicy Kick – Add Heat for Bold Flavor Lovers
Want to bring some heat to the table? Add a little spice with-

• Red pepper flakes mixed into the sauce
• Hot Italian sausage or chorizo instead of ground beef
• A splash of your favorite hot sauce in the ricotta mixture

💡 Just be sure to taste as you go-spice can sneak up fast!

🔹 Gluten-Free – Pasta for Everyone
Make this dish completely gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free ziti, penne, or rotini.

• Cook gluten-free pasta slightly under al dente to prevent it from getting too soft during baking.
• Check that your marinara and cheese ingredients are certified gluten-free if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓ Can I make this baked ziti ahead of time?

Yes, and that’s one of the reasons it’s such a great go-to for busy families or meal prep! You can fully assemble the baked ziti (unbaked) and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, simply remove it from the fridge, cover with foil, and pop it in the oven.

💡 Tip- If baking straight from the fridge, add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through.

❓ Can I freeze baked ziti?

Absolutely! Baked ziti is one of the best freezer-friendly meals out there. Here’s how-

• To freeze before baking- Assemble the dish in a freezer-safe container, cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 2 months.
• To bake from frozen- Bake covered at 350°F (175°C) for about 1 hour, then uncover and bake for 15 more minutes to get that bubbly, golden cheese topping.
• To bake after thawing- Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bake as directed in the main recipe.

💡 Freezer Tip- Label the container with the date and baking instructions so future-you doesn’t have to guess.

❓ What can I use instead of ricotta?

If you’re not a fan of ricotta or just don’t have it on hand, you have some easy and tasty alternatives-

• Cottage cheese – A lighter option with similar creaminess. For best texture, use small-curd or blend it briefly.
• Cream cheese + ricotta mix – For an ultra-smooth, rich filling.
• Mascarpone – For a slightly sweeter, luxurious twist.

Each option will give you a slightly different texture but still results in that creamy, cheesy center we all love.

❓ Can I use another type of pasta?

Yes! While ziti is traditional, this recipe is flexible. Any short, sturdy pasta that holds sauce well will work beautifully. Great options include-

• Penne – A classic, slightly smaller tube shape
• Rigatoni – Bigger tubes with ridges that cling to sauce
• Rotini or Fusilli – Spirals that trap cheese and sauce in every bite
• Gluten-free pasta – Just be sure to cook it slightly under to avoid mushiness

💡 Pasta Tip- Always cook your pasta just shy of al dente if you’re baking it-it’ll finish cooking in the oven and stay perfectly firm.

Conclusion- A Tried-and-True Family Favorite

Baked Ziti is one of those dishes that everyone looks forward to-cheesy, cozy, and always satisfying. It’s ideal for Sunday dinners, meal trains, freezer meals, or just when you’re craving something hearty and familiar. The best part? It’s endlessly adaptable, totally wine-free, and made with ingredients you likely already have on hand.

🧀🍅 One bite, and it’ll become a comfort food staple in your home.

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