Baked ziti is undoubtedly one of our favorite pasta casseroles. This classic Italian-American dish combines simple ingredients with bold, satisfying flavors to create a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal. Whether serving it at a family dinner, bringing it to a potluck, or preparing a make-ahead dish for busy weeknights, this baked ziti recipe is a guaranteed hit.
Its perfect balance of creamy, cheesy layers and savory, meaty sauce sets this version apart. Ground beef, sautéed with onion and garlic, is simmered with a jar of spaghetti sauce to create a rich, flavorful base. Meanwhile, a luscious ricotta mixture—blended with eggs, parmesan, and fresh parsley—adds creaminess to every bite. And, of course, gooey melted mozzarella crowns the top, offering that irresistible melty finish.
The al dente ziti pasta is the foundation, soaking up all the delicious flavors from the sauce and cheeses. By assembling the layers and baking until bubbly, the ingredients come together in perfect harmony, creating a casserole-style dish that’s both rustic and elegant.
What makes baked ziti even better? Its versatility. You can tweak the ingredients to suit your preferences—try adding Italian sausage for extra zest or sneaking in veggies like spinach or mushrooms. But even in its simplest form, this recipe delivers warmth, flavor, and satisfaction in every forkful.
Baked ziti is one of those dishes that brings people together over a shared love for good food and good company.
Recipe Variations
- Spices: Add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or use your favorite Arrabbiata sauce.
- Mushrooms: Sauté 8 ounces of fresh sliced mushrooms in 1 tablespoon of butter or olive oil; add them to the sauce mixture.
- Meat: Make the sauce with Italian sausage instead of beef.
- Pizza Flavored: Use 2 12-ounce jars of pizza sauce, replace some of the beef with pepperoni, and add 1 chopped bell pepper to the meat with the onions. Finish with sliced black olives.
What to Serve With Baked Ziti
Bread: Choose a toasted garlic bread or try our cheesy garlic pull-apart loaf made with biscuits. These simple garlic butter crescent rolls are also terrific with a pasta meal.
Salad: A simple green salad with Italian dressing is perfect, or make a more luxurious Caesar salad.
Vegetables: Green vegetables pair well with a pasta bake. Serve the baked ziti with simple sautéed spinach, broccoli rabe, or broccolini.
PrintClassic Baked Ziti
This is the ultimate baked ziti recipe: a hearty, flavorful dish with layers of creamy ricotta, savory meat sauce, and gooey mozzarella.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ziti
- Kosher salt for the cooking water, about 4 teaspoons
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 large jar spaghetti sauce (24 to 32 ounces)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 16 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water following the package directions for al dente. While the pasta is cooking, combine the eggs, ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Drain the pasta and stir into the cheese mixture.
Credit: Diana Rattray - Meanwhile, cook the ground beef. Put the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook it undisturbed for 4 minutes. Then, break it up, add the onions and garlic, and continue cooking until it is no longer pink.
Credit: Diana Rattray - Add the spaghetti sauce or marinara to the beef mixture and bring to a simmer.
Credit: Diana Rattray - Spoon 1/3 of the beef sauce mixture into a 2 1/2—to 3-qt baking dish, top with half the pasta, repeat the two layers, and finish with the last 1/3 of sauce.
Credit: Diana Rattray - Cover and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and top with the remaining mozzarella; bake for a few more minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Credit: Diana Rattray
Equipment
Ceramic Baking Dish, 9 x 13-inch
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Notes
If you prepared the casserole in advance, remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. Bake as directed, but if it’s still quite cool it may take longer. Look for an internal temperature of 160 F to 165 F before finishing with the cheese topping.
