Baked Ziti
A true comfort food classic, this baked ziti is made with just 5 ingredients and comes together in about 45 minutes, with minimal hands-on time! It’s easy to make ahead, and it’s a dish you’ll come back to again and again for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, and any time you need something to feed a crowd that you know will fly straight off the table.
Ingredients
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that there’s no long ingredients list, and you likely already have much of what you need. No rushing out to the grocery store!
I’m going to walk you through the ingredients then move on to share more about the recipe, including step-by-step guidance and photos from our test kitchen. If you prefer to get a printable recipe card, then please note that you’ll find that at the bottom of this post!
- Ziti pasta: The classic choice for this dish. It holds the sauce well and gives you that perfect baked pasta texture.
- Marinara sauce: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade sauce. This is where a lot of the flavor comes from.
- Ricotta cheese: Adds a creamy, slightly rich layer that makes the baked ziti extra comforting.
- Mozzarella: Melts beautifully on top and gives you that classic cheesy, bubbly finish.
- Parmesan: Adds a little extra flavor and a slightly salty, savory bite to balance everything out.
How To Make Baked Ziti
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Cook the ziti in salted water until just al dente, then drain.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the marinara sauce and ricotta, stirring until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella and parmesan over the top.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving so everything can set up slightly.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze baked ziti for up to 2 months. Just wrap it tightly so it stays fresh.
To reheat, warm it in the oven at 325°F until heated through, or microwave individual portions as needed.
Recipe Notes
- You can assemble this ahead of time if you like. Just cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. It’s perfect for busy days or when you’re hosting.
- Want to add meat? Browned ground beef or sausage mixes in really well and makes it even more filling.
- Cottage cheese works as a great substitute for ricotta if you prefer it (and it adds a little extra protein too).
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta! It should be just al dente since it will continue to cook in the oven.
- If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover it with foil while it finishes baking.
- Let it rest before serving. This helps everything set up so it’s easier to slice and serve.
- You can add a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley at the end for a little extra freshness and pop of color.
Serving Ideas
Serve this baked ziti with garlic bread for the ultimate comfort meal. Perfect for soaking up any extra sauce.
Add a Caesar salad on the side or some roasted vegetables if you want to round things out a bit.
You can also top it with fresh basil right before serving for a little extra flavor.
If you’re feeding a bigger crowd or want something a bit heartier, add ground beef or sausage right into the dish.
Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 14 oz ziti pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1½ cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Cook the ziti in salted water until just al dente, then drain.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the marinara sauce and ricotta, stirring until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella and parmesan over the top.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving so everything can set up slightly.
We all need a couple of reliable pasta dishes in our rotation, and this one is a staple that you’ll come back to time and time again! It’s easy, it’s a real crowd pleaser, and only need a handful of ingredients to make it work. Save this one for lazy weekends and busy weeknights!
And when you make it, I’d really love to hear all about what you think and how it turns out for you. Leave a comment and a star rating below, and tag me on Instagram @slimmingviolet and #slimmingviolet.
