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Home » Recipes » Dinner » Easy Baked Ziti

Easy Baked Ziti

By: Rebecca  |  Published: March 13, 2020  |  Updated: January 19, 2021  |   View Our Affiliate Disclosure Policy

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Baked Ziti is a deliciously comforting dish made with melty mozzarella, creamy ricotta, zesty marinara, and tender ziti noodles. It’s easy to make in about 35 minutes — just toss everything together, bake, and enjoy!  via @sugarandsoulcoBaked Ziti is a deliciously comforting dish made with melty mozzarella, creamy ricotta, zesty marinara, and tender ziti noodles. It’s easy to make in about 35 minutes — just toss everything together, bake, and enjoy!  via @sugarandsoulcoBaked Ziti is a deliciously comforting dish made with melty mozzarella, creamy ricotta, zesty marinara, and tender ziti noodles. It’s easy to make in about 35 minutes — just toss everything together, bake, and enjoy!  via @sugarandsoulcoBaked Ziti is a deliciously comforting dish made with melty mozzarella, creamy ricotta, zesty marinara, and tender ziti noodles. It’s easy to make in about 35 minutes — just toss everything together, bake, and enjoy!  via @sugarandsoulco

Baked Ziti is a deliciously comforting dish made with melty mozzarella, creamy ricotta, zesty marinara, and tender ziti noodles. It’s easy to make in about 35 minutes — just toss everything together, bake, and enjoy!

Serve it with Garlic Bread for a complete meal! It’s hearty enough for company but simple enough for any weeknight, and you can even freeze it for later. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you how!

Baked Ziti served on a white plate.

Does your family love pasta too? This is the BEST Baked Ziti Recipe and it can be on the table in about 35 minutes — and that includes baking time!

This Baked Ziti with ricotta, fresh mozzarella, and tomato sauce is the epitome of comfort food with an Italian twist. It also freezes well so it’s the perfect dish to make for later or to bring to loved in need of a homecooked meal. 

What’s In It: 

  • Ziti Pasta – These little tubes of pasta are ideal for savoring all that zesty cheese and sauce! 
  • Fresh Mozzarella – There’s nothing like fresh mozz – the thick slices get brown and bubbly in the oven.
  • Ricotta – Adds creamy richness to the dish!
  • Dried Basil – I opt for dried basil in the pasta/sauce/cheese mix because it’s easier to blend. 
  • Parmesan – For best taste, use fresh parmesan. Grate it on top of each plate before diving in!
  • Pasta Sauce – Try using my Homemade Marinara Sauce, which is simple but so good! You’ll use a whole batch in this recipe.
  • Fresh Parsley – This is optional but it adds a little color to the plate. 
Ingredients for making baked ziti.

How To Make It: 

  1. Cook your pasta according to package directions for al dente. While pasta is cooking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and combine marinara sauce, salt, pepper, basil, ricotta cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese in a large mixing bowl and mix until combined.
  2. Once pasta is cooked, drain (do not rinse), and add to the sauce mixture and toss to coat.
  3. Transfer the mixture to a large casserole dish.
  4. Top it with remaining mozzarella cheese and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is melty and starting to brown. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and parsley when serving.
step-by-step photo collage showing how to make baked ziti.

Baked Ziti Variations

  • Other types of pasta like penne or rigatoni may also be used.
  • If you love fresh basil, this makes a fragrant garnish in place of parsley. 
  • You can add ground beef (or Italian sausage) and onion if you wish. Cook them together in a pan until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain the pasta and add in with the sauce and other ingredients. This will add to cook time.
  • You can use a jarred marinara sauce in a pinch, but I think homemade is better!
Baked Ziti being spooned out of a serving dish.

Can You Freeze It?

This is a great dish to freeze for later or bring over to a loved one’s house if they don’t feel well or are busy with a new baby!

To successfully freeze, make the recipe according to recipe directions other than baking. And make sure the pan is completely cooled before putting in the freezer. Wrap it tightly in two layers of plastic wrap. 

To reheat, bake at 350 degrees F until hot. This will probably take about 30 to 40 minutes to heat through

If going straight from freezer to oven, make sure that you prep the baked ziti in a disposable pan, since a glass or ceramic one could crack, if frozen.

Baked ziti in a white casserole dish with a white serving spoon.

More Pasta Recipes: 

  • Baked Spaghetti Pie – One of the best ways to use up all that dried spaghetti in your pantry!
  • Turkey Florentine Pasta Bake – A nice change from chicken. Also, a creative way to enjoy leftover holiday turkey!
  • One Pan Tomato Ricotta Pasta Bake – This low-maintenance dinner calls for garlic and its own special tomato sauce. 
  • Shrimp Alfredo Pasta – A delicious seafood twist on you favor Italian American classic!
  • Antipasti Pasta Salad – Perfect for summer and always a hit!

Easy Baked Ziti

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👋 Let’s Connect!

If you’ve tried this recipe please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review, I love hearing from you! And don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos! You can also Subscribe to my Newsletter so you never miss a delicious recipe again!

Baked ziti in a white casserole dish with a white serving spoon.

Baked Ziti Recipe

Rebecca Hubbell
Baked Ziti is a deliciously comforting dish made with melty mozzarella, creamy ricotta, zesty marinara, and tender ziti noodles. It’s easy to make in about 35 minutes — just toss everything together, bake, and enjoy!
5 from 10 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 servings
Calories 375

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ziti pasta cooked
  • 1 batch Marinara Sauce1
  • ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • 1½ cups ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese2 divided
  • Parmesan cheese for topping
  • fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions and drain when finished, do not rinse. About 10 minutes.
  • While pasta is cooking, preheat the oven to 350°F. Add marinara, salt, pepper, basil, ricotta, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese in a large mixing bowl and mix until combined.
  • Once pasta is finished cooking, add it to the mixing bowl and toss to coat with the sauce mixture, then add to a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown.
  • Serve with grated cheese and garnish with parsley, if desired.

Video

Notes

  1. 4 cups of storebought marinara sauce may be used instead of the homemade recipe.
  2. The dish can also be topped with sliced fresh mozzarella instead of shredded.
  3. You can add 1lb of ground beef and 1 small onion (diced), if you’d like. Cook them together in a pan until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain and add in with the sauce and other ingredients. This will add to cook time.
  4. Shelf Life: Up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
  5. To Freeze: Make the recipe according to recipe directions other than baking. And make sure the pan is completely cooled before putting in the freezer. Wrap it tightly in two layers of plastic wrap. To reheat, bake at 350 degrees F until hot. This will probably take about 30 to 40 minutes to heat through. If going straight from freezer to oven, make sure that you prep the dish in a disposable pan, since a glass or ceramic one could crack, if frozen. Baking time could take up to one hour if cooking from frozen.

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 19gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 364mgPotassium: 196mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 395IUCalcium: 249mgIron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me now!Mention @sugarandsoulco or tag #sugarandsoulco!
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About Karen Tietjen

Writer | New Englander | Dog Lover

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Monique says

    December 12, 2020 at 8:43 pm

    5 stars
    I just made this for dinner and everyone loved it. It was so simple to make, yet my family thought I was cooking for hours. Thank you for this recipe. It will definitely be added into my dinner rotation.

    Reply
  2. Heather Kostick says

    May 15, 2020 at 6:17 pm

    5 stars
    Easy to follow and delicious for the entire family! Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Karly says

    May 24, 2016 at 11:14 am

    Okay, I’m sold. That ricotta has my heart. And I wish I was kidding. Love love love a good weeknight pasta dish like this! Can’t wait to try it out!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      May 24, 2016 at 11:29 am

      Me too, it makes everything so much easier!

      Reply
  4. Mary says

    May 16, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    What a beautiful story and an amazing dish! Congrats!

    Reply
    • Karen Harris says

      May 17, 2016 at 2:25 pm

      Thank you so much! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Erin @ The Speckled Palate says

    May 16, 2016 at 11:14 am

    Oh my GOODNESS, what a sweet story! And how incredible that your fiance made the same dinner he made on y’all’s first date for the same night that you got engaged! Congratulations!

    And this baked ziti? It’s something my husband, daughter, and I would absolutely love. We’re gonna have to give this a go, especially since we’ve got some of that RAGU Homestyle Sauce in our fridge right now!

    Reply
    • Karen Harris says

      May 17, 2016 at 2:22 pm

      Thank you!! Oooh, you’re in luck, the yummy sauce will save you a ton of time! I hope your baked ziti comes out delicious and your family loves it!

      Reply
  6. SunnyDaysNora says

    May 16, 2016 at 11:08 am

    Looks great!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      May 17, 2016 at 2:11 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  7. Angela says

    May 16, 2016 at 9:33 am

    Nothing like a classic! This sounds incredible!!

    Reply
    • Karen Harris says

      May 17, 2016 at 2:23 pm

      To put it simply…it is! 🙂 I hope you try it and love it!

      Reply
  8. Coco in the Kitchen says

    May 15, 2016 at 10:42 pm

    My first taste of baked ziti was nothing memorable, but your recipe looks so good. I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Karen Harris says

      May 17, 2016 at 2:26 pm

      Hehe! Maybe your NEXT taste of baked ziti will be extra-special. 🙂 I hope you love it!

      Reply

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I'm Rebecca!

I love sharing sweet and savory recipes that are tested and perfected in my kitchen so they'll be an instant favorite in yours!

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