Go Back
–+ servings
A white baking dish filled with cheesy baked ziti sits on a marble surface, with a metal serving spoon lifting a portion. Plates, glasses of water, grated cheese, and pepper are arranged nearby.
Print Recipe
5 from 6 votes

Recipe for Baked Ziti

Quick and easy baked ziti is a yummy pasta recipe packed with plenty of flavor.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: baked ziti recipe
Servings: 8
Calories: 645kcal

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces ziti noodles
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1- pound ground mild Italian sausage
  • 1 cup sweet yellow onion, small diced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, finely minced (3 to 4 large cloves)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 28 ounces jar marinara saucem MIDS brand used
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 8 ounces block whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided (yields 2½ cups - 1 cup between the ziti layers and 1½ cups for the top)
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.
  • Add the ziti noodles and cook for 7-8 minutes or just about 2-3 minutes shy of al dente according to the package directions.
  • Drain the ziti pasta.
    Uncooked rigatoni pasta in a white plastic colander sits on a white marble countertop, ready to be used in a classic Baked Ziti recipe.
  • Return the ziti noodles to the pot and set aside.
  • While the pasta is boiling, start cooking the sauce mixture.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the mild Italian sausage, onion, garlic, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  • Cook and brown the sausage for 6-8 minutes or until no pink remains. Drain off all excess fat from the skillet.
    Cooked ground beef mixed with chopped onions in a stainless steel skillet, perfect as a hearty base for Baked Ziti, placed on a white marble countertop.
  • Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the tomato paste until fully incorporated.
  • Add the marinara sauce and tomato sauce to the skillet, stirring to fully combine.
    A hand pours tomato sauce from a measuring cup into a stainless steel skillet filled with browned ground meat, the perfect start for classic Baked Ziti, all set on a white marble countertop.
  • Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until slightly thickened and no longer watery. Remove the skillet from the heat.
    A stainless steel skillet filled with chunky red tomato sauce, perfect for Baked Ziti, sits on a white marble countertop. The sauce appears to contain herbs and pieces of tomato.
  • Add 1 cup of the sauce and the ricotta cheese to the drained ziti noodles, stirring until evenly coated.
    A stainless steel pot filled with creamy pasta, likely baked ziti or rigatoni, coated in a light orange or pink sauce, sits on a white marble surface.
  • Spoon half the ziti mixture into the prepared 9x13 baking dish.
    A white rectangular baking dish filled with uncooked pasta coated in a creamy orange sauce, ready for the oven—perfect for making classic Baked Ziti—sits on a white marble surface.
  • Top with 1 cup of the sauce and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
    A white rectangular baking dish on a marble surface, filled with shredded cheese and pieces of chicken mixed with tomato sauce, perfect for preparing a delicious Baked Ziti.
  • Repeat with the remaining ziti mixture, sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the baked ziti.
    A white baking dish filled with unbaked lasagna, topped with shredded cheese, sits on a marble countertop, ready to be baked like a classic Baked Ziti.
  • Lightly spray the underside of a piece of aluminum foil with non-stick spray then tightly cover the baking dish, making sure the sprayed side faces the cheese. This will help to ensure that the cheese does not stick to the foil when baking and will make for easy removal.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until the edges are bubbly and the cheese is fully melted. During the last 2-4 minutes, broil the cheese until lightly golden if desired. If broiling, watch closely to ensure the cheese doesn’t burn.
    A baked lasagna in a white rectangular dish on a marble table, surrounded by a serving spoon, napkin, plates, forks, glasses with ice and lemon, and small bowls of cheese and pepper—perfect for fans of baked ziti.
  • Remove the baked ziti from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
    A baked lasagna with a golden, melted cheese topping sits in a white rectangular dish on a marble counter, surrounded by plates, utensils, drinks, and small bowls of seasoning—perfect for fans of classic Baked Ziti.

Notes

  • For added heat and flavor, you can use a hot Italian sausage in this recipe.
  • If using Italian sausage in links, be sure to remove the casing prior to adding the sausage to the skillet.
  • Do not use a smoked Italian sausage for this recipe as it will not yield the same results.

Nutrition

Calories: 645kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 1064mg | Potassium: 517mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 689IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 346mg | Iron: 2mg
QR Code linking back to recipe