Easy Baked Ziti Recipe: A Classic Comfort Dish for Every Occasion
A cheesy, saucy, and comforting baked ziti recipe that's easy to make and perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or potlucks.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Colander
- Mixing Bowl
- 9x13-inch Baking Dish
- Wooden Spoon
- Aluminum Foil
- Oven
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta cooked al dente
- 1 jar marinara sauce 24 oz
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage optional for extra flavor
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt adjust to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper freshly ground
Cheese Layer
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Boil ziti pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef or sausage over medium heat. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, cooking for 1-2 minutes. Stir in marinara sauce and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, ½ cup mozzarella, Parmesan, and egg. Stir well.
- Layer half of the cooked ziti in the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta, followed by half of the meat sauce. Repeat the layers.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
Video
Notes
For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for 3 months.
