Easy Baked Ziti Recipe

This Easy Baked Ziti recipe is a streamlined version of a classic Italian-American favorite. It’s packed with all the comforting flavors you love – tender ziti pasta, a rich and savory meat sauce, and a creamy ricotta cheese filling, all topped with a generous layer of melted mozzarella cheese. It’s easy to make, ready in just over an hour, and perfect for a satisfying family dinner or a casual get-together.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Classic flavors: This baked ziti captures the essence of traditional Italian-American comfort food.
• Simplified process: This recipe streamlines the process for a quicker and easier weeknight meal.
• Crowd-pleaser: It’s a hearty and satisfying dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying leftovers.
• Versatile: You can easily customize the recipe with different types of sausage, cheese, or vegetables.

this Recipe

Ingredients for Easy Baked Ziti

This recipe uses fresh, high-quality ingredients to create a classic baked ziti that will satisfy your comfort food cravings. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Ground Italian Sausage: Use sweet, mild, or hot Italian sausage, depending on your preference.
• Yellow Onion: Adds a savory base to the meat sauce.
• Tomato Paste: Adds richness and depth to the sauce.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Creates a flavorful tomato base for the sauce.
• Italian Seasoning Blend: A blend of dried herbs that adds a classic Italian flavor.¹
• Water: Helps create the desired consistency for the sauce.
• Ziti Pasta: A tubular pasta that’s perfect for baking.²
• Salt: For the pasta water and the cheese filling.
• Ricotta Cheese: The base of the creamy cheese filling.
• Italian Cheese Blend: A blend of Italian cheeses, such as mozzarella and Parmesan, adds flavor to the filling.
• Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: Adds a touch of spice.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Provides a gooey, cheesy topping.
• Chopped Parsley (optional): Adds a fresh, herbaceous garnish.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

How to Make Easy Baked Ziti

Step 1: Brown the Sausage and Sauté the Onion

Brown the ground Italian sausage in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Once browned, add the finely diced onion and continue to sauté until softened and translucent.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

Add the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and water to the skillet. Stir to combine, cover, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer while you cook the ziti, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Cook the Ziti

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until tender. Drain the pasta in a colander.

Step 4: Prepare the Cheese Filling

While the pasta and sauce are cooking, combine the ricotta cheese, Italian cheese blend, and freshly cracked black pepper in a bowl. Stir to combine. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 5: Assemble the Baked Ziti

Add 1 cup of the red sauce to the drained ziti and toss to coat. Pour half of the ziti into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta, then spoon half of the remaining red sauce and sausage over the ricotta. Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and sauce. Top with the shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 6: Bake

Cover the baking dish with foil, making sure it’s slightly tented to prevent it from sticking to the cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.

Step 7: Broil and Serve

Remove the foil and turn the oven to broil. Broil for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is slightly browned. Keep a close eye on the baked ziti while it’s broiling. Top with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve hot.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Sausage: You can use sweet, mild, or hot Italian sausage, depending on your preference.
• Cheese: You can use a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese instead of the Italian cheese blend.
• Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to the sauce, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach.

How to Serve Easy Baked Ziti

• Family dinner: This baked ziti is perfect for a hearty and satisfying family dinner.³
• Potluck or gathering: It’s also a great dish to bring to a potluck or gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating

Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire dish in the oven until heated through.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can use other types of pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or even macaroni.⁴

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the baked ziti ahead of time and bake it later. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I freeze this recipe?
Yes, you can freeze the assembled baked ziti before baking. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

My baked ziti is watery, what did I do wrong?
If your baked ziti is watery, it could be that you didn’t drain the pasta well enough or that the sauce was too thin. You can try draining the pasta more thoroughly or simmering the sauce for a longer time to reduce the liquid.

There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Easy Baked Ziti. I hope you enjoy it!

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