Name: This Baked Ziti Is What I Make When I Want Something Cozy, Cheesy, and Crowd-Pleasing
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 pound ziti pasta; 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce; 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 large egg; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper, to taste; Optional: ½ pound cooked Italian sausage or ground beef; Optional: 1 cup sautéed spinach or diced zucchini

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You know those meals you make when you want everyone at the table to be happy? This is mine. Baked ziti is my go-to when I need something comforting and easy that feeds a bunch of people and makes amazing leftovers. It’s cheesy, saucy, and has just the right amount of browned edges from the oven. Honestly, it’s like lasagna’s chill, low-maintenance cousin—and I mean that in the best way.

This easy baked ziti is a weeknight win and a dinner-party hero all in one dish. It’s layered with tender pasta, marinara sauce, melty mozzarella, and creamy ricotta, then baked until bubbly and golden on top.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s cozy, filling, and totally satisfying
You can make it ahead or freeze it for later
Everyone—from picky kids to hungry adults—devours it
It’s super customizable depending on what you have on hand

Ingredients

You’ll need ziti pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and a few seasonings. You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements down in the recipe card below.

Boil the Pasta

Cook your ziti just until al dente—don’t overdo it since it’ll finish cooking in the oven. Drain it and toss it with a little sauce so it doesn’t stick together.

Mix the Ricotta Filling

In a bowl, stir together the ricotta with some grated Parmesan, an egg, salt, pepper, and a pinch of Italian seasoning. This creamy layer adds so much richness to the final dish.

Layer Everything Up

Spoon some sauce into the bottom of a baking dish, then layer half of the pasta, dollops of ricotta, more sauce, and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella. Repeat until you run out of ingredients, finishing with mozzarella on top.

Bake Until Bubbly

Pop the dish into a 375°F oven and bake until the cheese is melted and golden in spots—usually around 25–30 minutes. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving so everything sets up nicely.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Undercook your pasta slightly so it doesn’t get mushy after baking
Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before cutting into it—it’ll hold together better
If you like a crispy top, broil it for a minute or two at the end
Use freshly shredded cheese if you can—it melts better than pre-shredded

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Swap ziti for penne or rigatoni if that’s what you have
Add cooked Italian sausage or ground beef for a meaty version
Stir some sautéed spinach or zucchini into the ricotta for a veggie boost
Use cottage cheese instead of ricotta if you prefer (it works!)
Add crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

This is such a filling dish that you don’t need much alongside it, but a simple green salad with balsamic vinaigrette is always a good call. Garlic bread or warm focaccia also takes it over the top. For drinks, I love serving it with a glass of red wine (like Chianti or Merlot), or even just sparkling water with lemon for a lighter option.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store leftovers tightly covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole dish in the oven at 350°F until heated through. It also freezes beautifully—just cover it tightly before baking and freeze. When you’re ready to cook it, bake from frozen (covered) at 375°F for about an hour, uncovering for the last 10–15 minutes.

FAQs

Can I make baked ziti ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble it, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

What’s the difference between baked ziti and lasagna?
Lasagna is layered with wide pasta sheets, while baked ziti is more free-form with tube-shaped pasta—but the flavors are super similar.

Do I have to use ricotta?
Not at all—you can use cottage cheese, mascarpone, or skip it entirely and just go with more mozzarella and sauce.

Can I freeze leftovers?
Definitely. Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze. It’ll keep for up to 3 months.

Conclusion

Baked ziti is just one of those foolproof comfort meals that never goes out of style. It’s simple, cozy, and totally satisfying—whether you’re feeding your family on a Tuesday or having friends over for a weekend dinner. Once you start making it, you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again.

This Baked Ziti Is What I Make When I Want Something Cozy, Cheesy, and Crowd-Pleasing

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This easy baked ziti is the ultimate comfort food—tender pasta layered with rich marinara, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, all baked until bubbly and golden. It’s a foolproof crowd-pleaser perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or cozy Sunday dinners.

Author: Touria Elkoudssi
Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baked
Cuisine: Italian-American

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook ziti in salted water until al dente. Drain and toss with a small amount of marinara to prevent sticking.
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
Spread a thin layer of marinara on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Add half the pasta, dollop with half the ricotta mixture, and pour over more marinara. Sprinkle with mozzarella.
Repeat layers with remaining ingredients, finishing with mozzarella on top.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 5–10 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.