The Best Baked Ziti Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food Lovers

Comfort seekers find pure bliss in a hearty baked ziti that melts away stress with every cheesy bite.

Layers of pasta, rich sauce, and gooey cheese create a symphony of flavors dancing across your plate.

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this ziti delivers pure culinary magic.

Pasta enthusiasts will appreciate the perfect balance of marinara, mozzarella, and robust seasonings.

Creamy textures and robust ingredients combine to offer a truly satisfying meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Italian-inspired comfort waits on your dinner table, promising to delight even the pickiest eaters.

Jump into this recipe and let deliciousness transform your evening meal into a memorable feast.

Baked Ziti That Every Comfort Food Fan Loves

Savor Speedy Comfort: Easy Weeknight Wonder

• Whip Up Quickly: Prep and bake this ziti in under an hour, perfect for busy families craving delicious home-cooked meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Packed with melted cheese, hearty meat sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish guarantees smiles from kids and adults alike at family dinners.
• Flexible Flavor Fusion: Easily swap ground beef for Italian sausage or create a vegetarian version by using plant-based meat alternatives, making it adaptable to different dietary preferences.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the dish in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready – an excellent option for meal preppers and those wanting stress-free dinner solutions.

Ultimate Baked Ziti Ingredients

• Ziti: Classic pasta for hearty Italian-American casseroles, holds sauce beautifully and provides substantial texture.

• Ground Beef, Italian Sausage: Rich meats that add deep flavor and protein to the dish, choose high-quality ground meat with good fat content.
• Marinara Sauce: Traditional Italian tomato sauce that brings zesty, sweet-tangy base to the recipe.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds extra tomato chunks for texture and fresh tomato flavor.

• Garlic: Aromatic base that provides intense savory foundation.
• Basil: Fragrant herb with sweet and peppery notes.
• Oregano: Classic Italian herb with earthy undertones.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and complexity.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for balancing overall flavor profile.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy, mild cheese that creates smooth filling.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts perfectly, creates golden stretchy top layer.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty depth to cheese mixture.
• Egg: Helps bind cheese mixture and provides structure.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for bright garnish and subtle green flavor.

Baked Ziti Comfort Recipe Steps

Step 1: Launch the Pasta Cooking Adventure

Crank up your oven to a toasty 375°F.

Grab a large pot and fill it with water.

Sprinkle in some salt and bring it to a rolling boil.

Toss in the ziti pasta and cook until it’s just shy of perfect – about 2 minutes less than the package suggests.

Drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside.

Step 2: Create a Flavor-Packed Meat Sauce

Heat a large skillet over medium-high flame.

Tumble in the ground meat and break it into tiny pieces as it sizzles.

Cook until the meat turns a beautiful golden brown and loses its pink color.

If there’s excess grease, carefully drain it off.

• Minced garlic
• Marinara sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Fresh basil
• Dried oregano
• Red pepper flakes

Let the sauce simmer and mingle for about 10 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper to make the flavors pop.

Step 3: Whip Up the Creamy Cheese Mixture

• Ricotta cheese
• Shredded mozzarella
• Grated Parmesan
• One egg
• Chopped fresh parsley

Stir everything until it becomes a smooth, dreamy mixture.

Step 4: Build Your Ziti Masterpiece

Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom.

This prevents sticking and adds extra flavor.

• First layer: Half the cooked ziti
• Second layer: Half the meat sauce
• Third layer: Half the cheese mixture

Repeat these layers one more time, ending with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella on top.

Step 5: Bake to Bubbly Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide it into the preheated oven.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Then, remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes.

You’re looking for a golden, bubbly top that makes your mouth water.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Pull the ziti out of the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.

This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.

Sprinkle some extra fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness.

Dive in and enjoy your comfort food masterpiece!

Baked Ziti – Comfort Food Shortcuts

• Experiment with different cheese combinations like fontina, provolone, or gouda to elevate the flavor profile and create a unique taste experience.
• Reserve a small amount of pasta cooking water to mix into the sauce, ensuring a moist and creamy texture that helps bind ingredients together.
• Assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and making meal prep incredibly convenient for busy home cooks.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles to accommodate different dietary preferences without compromising taste.
• Wrap the baked ziti tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to store in the freezer for up to 3 months, creating a perfect make-ahead meal for quick weeknight dinners.

Store Cheesy Baked Ziti for Next Day

• Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Transfer cooled ziti to a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place ziti in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 20-25 minutes. Add a splash of water or extra marinara sauce to prevent drying.
• For quick reheating, place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed. Add a tablespoon of water to maintain moisture.

Baked Ziti Companions You’ll Love

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich, meaty sauce and cuts through the creamy cheese perfectly.
• Match with Crisp Green Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty pasta dish, adding freshness and cutting through the ziti's richness.
• Serve with Garlic Bread: Prepare crusty, herbed garlic bread to soak up extra sauce and provide a crunchy texture contrast to the creamy, soft ziti.
• Enhance with Roasted Vegetables: Prepare simple roasted broccoli or zucchini with olive oil and herbs to add a nutritious side that provides color and additional vegetable flavor to the meal.

Baked Ziti Recipe Ways to Enjoy

• Vegetarian Ziti Delight: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms for a hearty meat-free version. Add extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini for more nutrition.
• Gluten-Free Ziti Option: Use gluten-free ziti pasta and ensure marinara sauce is certified gluten-free. Check all ingredients for potential gluten contamination.
• Low-Carb Ziti Alternative: Substitute ziti with zucchini noodles or cauliflower florets. Use low-carb marinara sauce and reduce cheese quantity for a lighter meal.
• Dairy-Free Ziti Solution: Replace ricotta and mozzarella with cashew-based cheese alternatives. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for similar cheesy flavor.

FAQs

• Is baked ziti a healthy dish?

Baked ziti is a hearty comfort food that’s not considered a low-calorie meal. It’s high in carbohydrates and calories due to pasta, cheese, and meat. For a healthier version, use lean ground meat, whole wheat pasta, and reduce cheese quantity.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply skip the ground beef or sausage and replace it with plant-based alternatives like mushrooms, zucchini, or meat substitutes. The sauce and cheese will still provide rich, delicious flavors.

• What type of pasta works best for baked ziti?

While ziti is traditional, other short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or mostaccioli work great. Choose pasta with ridges or tubes that hold sauce well for maximum flavor in every bite.

• How can I prevent my baked ziti from being too dry?

To keep your dish moist, use enough sauce, don’t overcook the pasta, cover with foil during initial baking, and ensure your cheese mixture isn’t too thick. Adding a bit of pasta water can also help maintain moisture.

Ultimate Baked Ziti Recipe for Comfort Food Lovers Recipe

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4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty baked ziti brings Italian-American comfort to dinner tables with layers of melted cheese, zesty marinara, and perfectly cooked pasta. Creamy, cheesy goodness promises a soul-warming meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 egg

Pasta and Sauce:

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 1 jar (24 ounces / 680 grams) marinara sauce
• 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) diced tomatoes, drained
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Cheese and Herbs:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Craft a robust tomato-infused base by sautéing meat in a skillet until golden and crumbly, releasing rich, deep flavors.
2. Enhance the meat mixture with aromatic garlic, vibrant marinara, diced tomatoes, and a harmonious blend of herbs like basil and oregano, allowing the components to meld and intensify for about 10 minutes.
3. Prepare a creamy cheese fusion by whisking ricotta with mozzarella, Parmesan, a whisked egg, and fresh parsley until smooth and well-incorporated.
4. Create a foundational layer in a baking dish with a thin spread of sauce, then methodically construct alternating strata of ziti, robust meat sauce, and luxurious cheese mixture.
5. Crown the assembled casserole with an additional generous sprinkle of mozzarella, ensuring complete coverage for maximum melted cheese appeal.
6. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and transform in a preheated 375°F oven, allowing initial covered baking to develop deep flavors.
7. Unveil the foil during the final cooking phase to achieve a golden, bubbling, irresistibly crisp cheese topping.
8. Allow the ziti to rest briefly after emerging from the oven, permitting the layers to settle and intensify in flavor before serving.
9. Optional: Garnish with delicate parsley sprigs for a fresh, verdant touch that elevates the visual presentation.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with plant-based alternatives for a vegetarian option that keeps protein levels high.
• Consider using gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
• Reduce sodium by selecting low-sodium marinara sauce and controlling salt during seasoning.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and minimize kitchen stress.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg