Maya Chen
A classic comfort dish—tender ziti pasta tossed in tomato sauce, layered with creamy ricotta and melty mozzarella, then baked to golden perfection.
Recipe Snapshot
- 🍽️ Serves: 6
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
- 🍳 Cook Time: 35 minutes
- 💰 Cost Estimate: $2.70 per serving
Clever Tip:
Mix mozzarella into the pasta as well as on top for extra cheesy pockets throughout the bake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic comfort—bubbling, cheesy, satisfying
- Great for feeding a crowd or making ahead
- Easy to customize with sausage, beef, or veggies
- Budget-friendly and kid-approved
- Delicious as leftovers (maybe even better the next day!)
Ingredient Notes
- Ziti pasta: Penne or rigatoni also work if ziti isn’t available.
- Marinara sauce: Store-bought or homemade—rich, chunky, or smooth.
- Ricotta cheese: Adds the creamy layer between noodles.
- Mozzarella: Both shredded and sliced melt beautifully into the pasta.
- Parmesan: For finishing, flavor, and golden topping.
- Optional: Italian sausage, chopped spinach, or mushrooms for extra protein and veggies.
Ingredients
- ▢ 1 lb ziti pasta
- ▢ 4 cups marinara sauce
- ▢ 2 cups ricotta cheese
- ▢ 3 cups shredded mozzarella (plus extra for topping)
- ▢ 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ▢ 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- ▢ Salt and pepper, to taste
- ▢ Optional: 1/2 lb cooked sausage or sautéed veggies
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti in salted water until al dente.
- In a large bowl, mix cooked ziti with marinara sauce and half the mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread half the pasta mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spoon and spread ricotta over.
- Layer remaining pasta on top. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake uncovered 35 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Let cool 10 minutes.
- Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Helpful Tips
- Shred your own mozzarella for optimum meltiness
- Let cool before slicing for neater portions
- Add cooked sausage for extra flavor and heartiness
Expert Tips for the Best Results
- Mix a little sauce with ricotta for more flavor
- Cover with foil first 20 minutes, then uncover to brown the top
- Prep and assemble a day ahead, then bake fresh
Meal Prep & Freezing Tips
- Prep Ahead: Assemble ziti up to 2 days before baking; keep covered in the fridge.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days; reheat in oven for best texture.
- Freezing: Freeze baked ziti in portions; thaw overnight and reheat until hot and bubbly.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use penne or rigatoni? Yes, any tube pasta is perfect in baked ziti!
- How can I make it vegetarian? Skip sausage and add extra veggies like mushrooms and spinach.
- Can I freeze unbaked ziti? Absolutely—cool, wrap, and freeze before baking. Add extra bake time from frozen.
- What other cheeses work? Provolone, fontina, or a bit of Romano are delicious swaps.
Conclusion
Cheesy Baked Ziti brings Italian flavor and cozy comfort to your table—serve with salad and garlic bread for a complete, crowd-pleasing dinner!
Cheesy Baked Ziti
A classic, comforting, and crowd-pleasing pasta bake perfect for meal prepping.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella plus extra for topping
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional:
- 1/2 lb cooked sausage or sautéed veggies
*Ingredient costs are estimated based on bulk purchasing and typical grocery prices.
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook ziti according to package directions until al dente (slightly firm). Drain and set aside.
- Make Meat Sauce (Optional): In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground meat (if using) and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for at least 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld. If not using meat, simply simmer the sauce ingredients together.
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg (if using), 1 cup mozzarella, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Stir in fresh parsley (if using). Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Assemble: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large baking dish 9×13 inch, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked ziti, then dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Top with another layer of sauce. Repeat with remaining ziti and sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Clever Tip
Make two batches and freeze one unbaked to have a homemade dinner ready for a busy weeknight in the future!
Meal Prep & Freezing Tips
- Refrigeration: Leftovers store well in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.
- Freezing (Unbaked): Assemble the ziti in a freezer-safe aluminum pan. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed. You can also bake directly from frozen (covered), but it will take about 60-75 minutes, then uncover for the last 15 minutes.
- Freezing (Baked): Once baked and cooled, cut into individual portions and freeze in airtight, freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the microwave or oven.
