Baked Ziti Recipe
If you’re searching for the ultimate comfort food, look no further than this sensational Baked Ziti Recipe. It’s a bubbling, melty, saucy pasta bake that layers ziti noodles with luscious ricotta, rich meaty tomato sauce, and gooey mozzarella, capturing all the flavors of classic Italian-American home cooking in every bite. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or carving out a cozy night in, this dish is both festive and weeknight-friendly, promising lots of satisfied smiles with just a little effort and a whole lot of flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Baked Ziti Recipe relies on a collection of familiar, reliable ingredients that each play a starring role. From perfectly bite-sized pasta to robust sausage and creamy cheeses, every item helps create those tantalizing layers you know and love—plus a few tweaks let you truly make it your own.
- Ziti pasta: Go for the namesake tube-shaped pasta; its hollow center traps just the right amount of sauce for that signature, hearty bite.
- Olive oil: Adds depth and a subtle fruitiness while sautéing the meat and aromatics.
- Italian sausage or ground beef: Delivers meaty richness; choose sausage for extra spice or beef for classic savoriness.
- Onion: Diced onion brings a gentle sweetness and tenderness to the sauce.
- Garlic: A must for that unmistakable Italian flavor; mince it fresh for maximum punch.
- Marinara sauce: Jarred sauce keeps things easy, but pick a high-quality brand with plenty of tomato goodness.
- Dried basil: Infuses the dish with fragrant, slightly peppery brightness.
- Dried oregano: Adds earthiness and that signature pizza-parlor aroma.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): Use this for a gentle kick of heat; totally adjustable to your taste.
- Ricotta cheese: Creamy and mild, it melts seamlessly into the pasta layers.
- Large egg: Binds the ricotta mixture and gives structure to the filling.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Brings intense, salty umami—don’t skip this layer!
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: You’ll want every last bit of this for melty, bubbling goodness on top.
- Fresh parsley: A dash of color and lively freshness as both a mix-in and garnish.
- Salt and black pepper: Season boldly along the way for truly flavorful layers.
How to Make Baked Ziti Recipe
Step 1: Boil the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add your ziti pasta. Cook it just to al dente since it’ll continue absorbing tasty sauce in the oven. Drain and set aside—the last thing you want is mushy noodles after baking!
Step 2: Brown the Meat
In your biggest skillet, heat up the olive oil over medium. Add Italian sausage or ground beef, breaking it up as it browns. This step’s all about deep, savory flavor. Once fully cooked, transfer excess fat if you like a lighter casserole, but keep a touch for richness.
Step 3: Sauté Onion and Garlic
Stir in the diced onion with the browned meat, letting it soften and sweeten for a few minutes. Tumble in the minced garlic and give it just a minute more—this is where your kitchen starts to smell irresistible!
Step 4: Simmer the Sauce
Pour in those jars of marinara, then sprinkle in the basil, oregano, and—if you’re a fan of gentle heat—a few shakes of red pepper flakes. Let it all bubble together for about 10 minutes, so the flavors meld and thicken.
Step 5: Mix the Cheese Filling
While your sauce simmers, grab a mixing bowl. Combine ricotta, one beaten egg, Parmesan, half your mozzarella, parsley, plus a generous seasoning of salt and pepper. This creamy mixture is the golden touch that ties the Baked Ziti Recipe together.
Step 6: Assemble the Layers
In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, start with a base layer of sauce. Add half the cooked ziti pasta, then dollop and gently spread half the ricotta mixture over top, following with more sauce. Repeat those layers, then crown the entire dish with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Cover tightly with foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Remove the foil, then bake another 20 minutes to achieve that glorious golden, bubbly top. Patience is key—let it sit for at least 10 minutes before serving so the layers can settle (and won’t burn your tongue!).
How to Serve Baked Ziti Recipe
Garnishes
For a fresh flourish, scatter chopped parsley or basil across the baked top. A sprinkle of extra Parmesan never hurts, and a grind of black pepper right before serving can really wake up those final flavors. If you fancy a little zip, a drizzle of good-quality olive oil over each scoop is heaven.
Side Dishes
Baked Ziti Recipe practically begs for some crusty garlic bread to sop up all that sauce, and a crisp green salad with a quick vinaigrette keeps things light. If you want to impress guests, serve with roasted vegetables like broccoli or zucchini to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn weeknight dinner into a dinner party by serving Baked Ziti Recipe in mini individual ramekins for a personal touch, or go family-style and let everyone help themselves from the bubbling pan. For buffet gatherings, keep it warm in a slow cooker so everyone enjoys that melty, cheesy magic.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cool any leftover Baked Ziti Recipe completely, then tuck it away in an airtight container in your refrigerator. The flavors deepen overnight, making for even tastier heat-and-eat lunches for up to four days.
Freezing
One of the best things about this Baked Ziti Recipe is its freezer-friendliness! Assemble but don’t bake, then wrap tightly and freeze up to two months. If you have already-baked leftovers, single servings freeze beautifully as well—simply thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, cover your portion with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly. For speedier single servings, the microwave works too—just add a splash of water and loosely cover to prevent drying out that luscious ricotta center.
FAQs
Can I make this Baked Ziti Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply skip the meat and boost the flavor with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or even roasted zucchini. The process remains the same, and you’ll still enjoy all that creamy, cheesy comfort.
What’s the best pasta substitute if I can’t find ziti?
Penne or rigatoni are wonderful alternatives to ziti—look for a short, sturdy pasta shape that holds up to baking and delivers plenty of spots for sauce to hide.
Can I use homemade marinara sauce for more flavor?
Definitely! Use about six cups of your favorite homemade marinara for even fresher, more personalized flavor profiles. It’s a fantastic upgrade if you have time.
How do I make the top extra golden and cheesy?
Sprinkle a thin, even layer of mozzarella for that essential melt, and pop the pan under the broiler for the last couple minutes of baking, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
Is it possible to assemble this Baked Ziti Recipe ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the entire dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add a few extra minutes to the covered baking time before finishing uncovered.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about a bubbling casserole dish of Baked Ziti Recipe shared with family and friends. It’s dependable, delicious, and endlessly adaptable, so don’t hesitate to get creative. Pull out your largest pan, gather your ingredients, and give this recipe a spin—you won’t regret the cheesy, saucy rewards!
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Baked Ziti Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in this comforting and cheesy Baked Ziti recipe that’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or entertaining a crowd. Layers of ziti pasta, savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta mixture, and gooey melted mozzarella will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
Pasta:
1 pound ziti pasta,
Meat Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef, 1 medium onion diced, 3 cloves garlic minced, 2 jars (24 ounces each) marinara sauce, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional,
Ricotta Mixture:
15 ounces ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven and cook pasta: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook ziti pasta till al dente.
- Prepare meat sauce: Brown sausage/beef, add onion, garlic, marinara sauce, herbs, and simmer.
- Make ricotta mixture: Combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, 2 cups mozzarella, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Layer and bake: Spread sauce, layer pasta, ricotta mix, sauce. Top with mozzarella. Bake covered, then uncovered until golden.
- Rest and serve: Let it rest before serving.
Notes
- You can assemble baked ziti up to a day in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 960mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
