Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort dish that brings so much joy to the table: saucy pasta mingling with melty cheeses, savory meat, and just a hint of herbs—all bubbling away in the oven until perfectly golden. This is the kind of meal you crave after a long day, the centerpiece of casual gatherings, or simply the recipe you reach for when you want everyone around the table to swoon. There’s something extra magical about layers of ziti getting cozy with marinara, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan; it’s hearty, cheesy, and guaranteed to leave you with happy leftovers.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients for Baked Ziti is delightfully easy, and each one brings its own little something to the party. Every component, from the pasta to the final sprinkle of herbs, truly adds a layer of flavor, texture, or visual appeal that takes this dish from simple to sensational.

Ziti pasta: Classic for a reason! Ziti’s tubular shape soaks up all that cheesy, savory sauce.
Olive oil: Just a touch for sautéing keeps everything rich without being greasy.
Ground beef or Italian sausage: Brings major flavor depth—choose sausage for a hint of spice, or beef for a milder bite.
Onion: Softens the meat’s richness and builds the savory foundation every great pasta bake needs.
Garlic: A must for authentic Italian aroma and flavor; don’t skip it!
Marinara sauce: Rich tomato goodness is the heart of the dish, so use a good-quality sauce you love.
Dried basil and oregano: These pantry herbs add fragrant Italian flair to every bite.
Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing and brightening all the other flavors.
Ricotta cheese: Delivers creamy pockets amid the sauce, keeping things luscious and velvety.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts dreamily over the top (and inside, too!) for that classic cheesy pull.
Parmesan cheese: Its salty, nutty tang finishes each layer just right and crisps up beautifully in the oven.
Chopped fresh parsley: A vibrant touch of freshness and color for your finished Baked Ziti masterpiece.

How to Make Baked Ziti

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prep Pasta

Start by cranking your oven up to 375°F (190°C). While that warms, bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook your ziti pasta until it’s just al dente. Don’t let it get mushy—it will cook a bit more in the oven! Drain well and set aside; this lets the pasta stay sturdy even as it soaks up all the amazing flavors later.

Step 2: Brown the Meat and Sauté the Vegetables

Grab your largest skillet and heat up the olive oil over medium. Toss in your ground beef or Italian sausage along with the chopped onion, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Sauté this combo until the meat’s deeply browned and the onions have turned soft and slightly golden, about 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in your minced garlic and cook for one fragrant minute more—you’ll know it’s ready when the kitchen smells heavenly.

Step 3: Simmer the Sauce

Pour in your trusty marinara sauce along with the dried basil, oregano, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Give it all a thorough stir, then let this beautiful mixture simmer for about 5 minutes. This step marries the flavors together, making sure every single bite of Baked Ziti will be rich, herby, and utterly delicious.

Step 4: Mix Pasta with Sauce and Ricotta

In a big mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the meat sauce and all that creamy ricotta. Stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated and the ricotta has woven itself between each piece—this is where your ziti starts to look irresistible.

Step 5: Layer with Cheese and Assemble

Now comes the fun part: assembling! Spoon half of your pasta mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with one cup of mozzarella and half of your Parmesan. Layer the rest of the pasta on top, then finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan—generously, please! Every forkful should scoop up melty cheese and saucy ziti.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Cover your dish loosely with foil—this keeps all the moisture in for extra gooeyness. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and pop the ziti back into the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes. You’re aiming for melted, golden cheese on top and those magical bubbling edges. Let it rest for 5 minutes so it slices beautifully, then finish with a flurry of chopped parsley for a truly inviting look.

How to Serve Baked Ziti

Garnishes

Sprinkle your finished Baked Ziti with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and a hit of garden-bright flavor. For extra flair, add a light shower of extra Parmesan or a drizzle of good-quality olive oil. If you like a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes makes a lovely final touch.

Side Dishes

Round out your meal with a crisp green salad tossed with vinaigrette—it helps balance the richness of the pasta. Warm, crusty garlic bread is almost non-negotiable for mopping up any leftover sauce, and some roasted or steamed vegetables (think broccoli or green beans) will make your table feel bountiful and wholesome.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving individual portions of Baked Ziti in small ramekins or mini casserole dishes for dinner parties; everyone will love the personal touch. For a family-style meal, bring the baking dish straight to the table and let everyone scoop their own servings. Want something truly festive? Layer some extra mozzarella on top just before serving and hit it with the broiler for those golden, blistered cheese spots that are absolutely irresistible.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Baked Ziti keeps beautifully! Simply transfer cooled portions to airtight containers and store in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and tasty for up to 4 days—perfect for quick lunches or a cozy round two at dinner. The flavor only gets better as the ziti continues to soak up all those saucy, cheesy notes.

Freezing

Baked Ziti is freezer-friendly and a total lifesaver on busy weeks. To freeze, let the casserole cool completely, then wrap the whole baking dish securely with both plastic wrap and foil, or portion it out into individual containers. It’ll keep well for up to 3 months in the freezer. Just be sure to label with the date so you can find it when the craving hits!

Reheating

To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then bake (covered with foil) at 350°F until hot and bubbly, about 25–30 minutes for a full casserole. Single servings can be microwaved in a pinch—just add a splash of water or sauce and cover loosely to keep things moist as they warm through.

FAQs

Can Baked Ziti be made ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble Baked Ziti up to a day in advance and refrigerate it unbaked. This not only makes for easy prep but also lets those flavors meld beautifully. Just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to enjoy, adding a few extra minutes if it’s coming straight from the fridge.

Can I make Baked Ziti vegetarian?

Yes! Simply skip the meat altogether, or bulk up the sauce with hearty sautéed mushrooms and spinach instead. The result is still incredibly flavorful and just as satisfying, thanks to all that rich cheese and savory tomato sauce.

What’s the best way to prevent watery ziti?

Be sure to drain your pasta well and use a thick marinara sauce if you can. Also, avoid overbaking, as this can release excess water from the cheese. Letting the finished dish rest for a few minutes before serving helps everything set perfectly, so each scoop holds together beautifully.

Can I use a different type Main Course

Definitely! Although classic ziti pasta is ideal, penne or rigatoni work wonderfully here—they’re both sturdy shapes that hold sauce just as well. Just follow the same cooking instructions and you’ll still be rewarded with a comforting, bubbly bake.

How do I get that perfect golden cheese topping?

For irresistibly golden, bubbly cheese, make sure to uncover your ziti for the last 10–15 minutes of baking. If you love extra crispy edges, set it under the broiler for a minute or two at the very end—just watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.

Final Thoughts

Baked Ziti is a celebration of all things cozy, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing. It’s easy enough for a weeknight yet special enough for guests—plus, those leftovers are always a treat. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and share it with people you love; nothing beats a bubbling dish of Baked Ziti fresh from the oven. Enjoy!

Baked Ziti Recipe