Classic Baked Ziti
This is the ultimate baked ziti recipe: a hearty, flavorful dish with layers of creamy ricotta, savory meat sauce, and gooey mozzarella.
Baked ziti is a classic Italian-American comfort food, and this version hits all the right notes—hearty, flavorful, and absolutely crowd-pleasing. With layers of creamy ricotta, savory meat sauce, and bubbling mozzarella, it’s the kind of pasta bake that’s always welcome at the table.
What makes this recipe stand out is the balance of textures and flavors. Al dente pasta soaks up the seasoned beef and sauce, while a ricotta mixture enriched with eggs, Parmesan, and parsley adds a creamy layer throughout. It’s baked to golden perfection with a cheesy top that’s hard to resist. Perfect for potlucks, make-ahead meals, or cozy Sunday dinners.
Why You’ll Love It
Cheesy and satisfying. Layers of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan make every bite rich and comforting.
Perfect for feeding a crowd. This baked pasta casserole serves 6 to 8 generously—ideal for gatherings or leftovers.
Easy to customize. You can swap in sausage, mushrooms, or extra spice to match your flavor preferences.
Ingredient Notes
- Ziti pasta: Or use penne or rigatoni if you prefer—just cook it al dente so it holds up in the oven.
- Ground beef: Adds hearty flavor to the sauce; can be replaced with sausage or a blend of both.
- Spaghetti sauce: Use your favorite jarred sauce or homemade marinara.
- Ricotta cheese: Whole milk ricotta gives the best creamy texture. Beat with eggs and cheese to create the rich layer.
- Mozzarella: Adds gooey, melty goodness on top and throughout.
- Parmesan: Adds depth and nuttiness to the ricotta mixture.
- Parsley: Adds freshness and color—use fresh if available.
Steps to Make Classic Baked Ziti
- Boil the pasta in salted water and drain when just al dente. Meanwhile, mix the ricotta with eggs, Parmesan, chopped parsley, and part of the mozzarella. Stir in the hot pasta to help everything combine.
- Brown the beef in a skillet, breaking it up after a few minutes, then add onions and garlic. Once browned, stir in the sauce and let it simmer.
- Layer the casserole: start with one-third of the meat sauce in the bottom of a greased baking dish, then half the pasta mixture, then repeat. Finish with the remaining sauce on top.
- Cover the dish and bake until hot and bubbly. Remove the cover, top with remaining mozzarella, and return to the oven just until the cheese is melted and golden.
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.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate: Let the baked ziti cool completely. Cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To Reheat: Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through. For individual servings, microwave covered on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring occasionally.
Classic Baked Ziti
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 garlic, minced
- 3 cups marinara sauce, a 24 to 32 ounce jar
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese, whole milk
- 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1/2 cup grated 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, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, and Parmesan in a large bowl. Drain the pasta and stir it into the cheese mixture.
- 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.
- Add the spaghetti sauce or marinara to the beef mixture and bring to a simmer.
- 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 the sauce.
- 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.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
