There’s nothing quite like pulling a bubbling tray of baked ziti out of the oven and watching the melted cheese stretch as you serve it. For many families, this classic Italian-American comfort food is more than just dinner—it’s tradition.
This easy homemade baked ziti recipe brings together layers of tender pasta, creamy ricotta, rich marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella, baked until golden and irresistible. It’s hearty enough for Sunday dinner, simple enough for busy weeknights, and makes the perfect make-ahead freezer meal.
Whether you’re cooking for a family gathering, a potluck, or simply craving comfort food, this recipe captures the essence of Grandma’s cooking: simple ingredients, plenty of love, and a dish that brings everyone to the table.
Jump to Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 8–10 people
- Course: Dinner / Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Calories: ~480 per serving
What is Baked Ziti?
Baked ziti is a rustic Italian-American pasta casserole, often compared to lasagna but with less fuss. Instead of layering flat noodles, tubular pasta is tossed with sauce and cheese, then baked until bubbly. Its charm lies in its simplicity—every bite offers creamy cheese, tangy marinara, and crispy golden edges.
While ziti is traditional, other short pasta like penne or rigatoni work just as well, thanks to their hollow centers that trap sauce. This dish has become a weeknight staple in the U.S. but traces back to Southern Italian roots where baked pasta (pasta al forno) was a Sunday tradition.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Base Ingredients:
- 1 lb (16 oz) ziti pasta (penne or rigatoni work too)
- 24 oz marinara sauce (homemade or quality store-bought)
- 15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
Optional Add-Ins (to customize):
- 1 lb Italian sausage or ground beef, browned
- 2 cups wilted spinach
- 1 cup sautéed mushrooms
- 1 cup bell peppers & onions
Kitchen Equipment Required
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Colander for draining
- Mixing bowls & spoons
- 9×13 inch baking dish (ceramic or glass preferred)
- Aluminum foil
- Measuring cups & spoons
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Work (10 minutes)
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook the Pasta (10 minutes)
- Boil pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions (very al dente).
- Drain but do not rinse—the starch helps sauce cling.
- Toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
3. Prepare the Ricotta Mixture (5 minutes)
In a large bowl, combine:
- Ricotta cheese, eggs, parsley, ¼ cup Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt & pepper.
- Stir in 1 cup mozzarella.
4. Assemble the Ziti (10 minutes)
- Spread ½ cup marinara on bottom of baking dish.
- Layer half the pasta → half ricotta mixture → half marinara → 1 cup mozzarella.
- Repeat with remaining pasta, ricotta, sauce.
- Top with 1 cup mozzarella + ¼ cup Parmesan.
5. Bake (30–40 minutes)
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil, bake 10–15 minutes more until bubbly & golden.
- Rest 10–15 minutes before serving (important for clean slices).
Pro Tips for Perfect Baked Ziti
- Undercook pasta → avoids mushiness when baked.
- Double the sauce → pasta absorbs liquid; what seems “too saucy” is perfect after baking.
- Mix cheese textures → blend low-moisture mozzarella for stretch + fresh mozzarella for creaminess.
- Let it rest → sets layers and keeps servings neat.
- Meal-prep tip → assemble 24 hrs ahead, refrigerate, then bake with +15 mins added cook time.
Delicious Variations
- Meat Lover’s: Mix sausage + ground beef into the sauce.
- Vegetable Ziti: Add spinach, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms.
- Spicy Ziti: Use spicy sausage + crushed red pepper.
- White Ziti: Swap marinara for creamy béchamel.
- Sicilian Style: Add pine nuts, golden raisins & saffron for unique flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Pair your baked ziti with:
- Garlic bread (classic)
- Italian chopped salad (romaine, tomatoes, pepperoncini, olives)
- Roasted vegetables (broccoli, zucchini, Brussels sprouts)
- Wine pairing: Chianti (red) or Pinot Grigio (white)
Storage & Freezer Guide
- Refrigerate: 4 days (cover tightly).
- Freeze unbaked: Up to 3 months (wrap in foil + plastic). Bake from thawed with +15 mins.
- Freeze baked: Up to 2 months. Reheat in oven at 350°F, covered, for 20–25 mins.
- Microwave leftovers: Add a splash of marinara or water to prevent drying.
Nutritional Information (per serving, 8 servings)
- Calories: ~480
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fat: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
Healthier swaps:
- Whole-grain or gluten-free pasta.
- Part-skim ricotta + reduced-fat mozzarella.
- Add extra spinach/mushrooms for fiber.
- Swap beef for lean turkey.
FAQs
Q1: Can I make baked ziti ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble, refrigerate up to 24 hrs, then bake. Add 10–15 extra minutes if cold.
Q2: What’s the difference between lasagna and baked ziti?
Lasagna is layered with flat pasta sheets; baked ziti is mixed and baked for a more rustic feel.
Q3: Can I substitute cottage cheese for ricotta?
Yes, blend cottage cheese until smooth for a lighter option.
Q4: How do I keep baked ziti from drying out?
Use plenty of sauce, cover with foil during baking, and don’t overbake.
Q5: Can I cook baked ziti in an air fryer?
Yes—use a smaller oven-safe dish, bake at 350°F for ~25 mins, checking frequently.
Conclusion
This easy homemade baked ziti recipe is the perfect blend of comfort and convenience—rich, cheesy, customizable, and freezer-friendly. Whether you keep it simple or load it with meats and veggies, it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Serve it with garlic bread, a crisp salad, and good company, and you’ll see why this dish has stood the test of time. Like Grandma always said: the best meals are the ones that bring everyone together. 🍝❤️
