Classic Baked Ziti Recipe: The Ultimate Cheesy & Hearty Pasta Bake for Any Occasion

Dive into a comforting classic with this incredibly delicious baked ziti recipe. This dish brings together perfectly cooked pasta, a rich and savory meat sauce, and an abundance of gooey, melted cheese, creating a symphony of flavors and textures that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. It’s a true family favorite, ideal for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or feeding a hungry crowd.

Baked Ziti is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. Each forkful delivers tender pasta enveloped in a robust tomato-based meat sauce, generously layered with creamy ricotta, stretchy mozzarella, and sharp Parmesan. The result is a bubbling, golden-brown casserole that promises warmth, satisfaction, and plenty of delicious leftovers. Pair this incredible pasta bake with a crisp fresh vegetable salad and some irresistible cheesy garlic bread for a complete and unforgettable Italian-American feast.

This timeless dish is universally adored, earning high praise from both children and adults alike. With its simple yet powerful combination of pasta, sauce, and cheese, it’s hard not to fall in love with its hearty goodness. Not only is it incredibly easy to prepare, but it also yields fantastic leftovers, making it an excellent choice for meal prep or busy schedules. Get ready to add this classic baked ziti to your regular rotation!

Why This Baked Ziti Recipe Will Become Your New Go-To

Incredibly Versatile: This recipe is a culinary canvas! Don’t have ricotta? Cottage cheese makes a great substitute. Prefer something other than ground beef? Italian sausage, ground turkey, or even a mix of meats works beautifully. You can truly make it your own by swapping ingredients to suit your family’s preferences or what you have on hand.
The Epitome of Comfort Food: There’s something undeniably comforting about a warm, cheesy pasta bake straight from the oven. This baked ziti delivers that cozy, satisfying feeling with every spoonful, making it perfect for chilly evenings or when you simply need a hearty pick-me-up.
Richly Cheesy & Garlicky: If you’re a cheese lover, this recipe is for you! We layer multiple types of cheese – creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and savory Parmesan – ensuring a perfectly cheesy bite every time. Fresh garlic infuses the sauce and cheese mixture with an aromatic depth that elevates the entire dish.
Packed with Layers of Flavor: Beyond the cheese and garlic, this baked ziti boasts a robust meat sauce seasoned with Italian herbs and a hint of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. The slow simmer allows all these flavors to meld together, creating a complex and satisfying taste profile that will keep you coming back for more.
Perfect for Feeding a Crowd: Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, a family gathering, or simply want to ensure plenty of leftovers, this 9×13 baking dish recipe is designed to generously serve a large group. It’s a crowd-pleaser that scales up easily too!

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Baked Ziti

Creating an outstanding baked ziti starts with quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some tips for each component:

Pasta: While traditional ziti pasta is the classic choice with its tube-like shape that captures sauce beautifully, feel free to use similar options like penne or rigatoni. The key is to **undercook the pasta by 1-2 minutes** from the package directions. This is crucial because it will continue to cook in the hot oven, ensuring it remains perfectly al dente and not mushy.
Marinara Sauce: A high-quality marinara sauce forms the backbone of your meat sauce. I love using a homemade marinara because it’s surprisingly easy to prepare, more economical, and allows you to control the exact flavor profile. However, a good quality store-bought sauce is absolutely fine – just pick one you genuinely enjoy the taste of.
Diced Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes add texture and a rich, fresh tomato flavor to the meat sauce. **Do not drain them!** The liquid from the can is essential for the sauce’s consistency and depth.
Ground Beef: For a hearty meat sauce, ground beef is my go-to. I typically use 90/10 lean ground beef for a lighter, less greasy result. If you prefer a richer, slightly greasier sauce with more fat for flavor, 80/20 ground beef works wonderfully. You can also experiment with Italian sausage (mild or hot), ground turkey, or a combination of beef and pork for added complexity.
Garlic: Fresh garlic is non-negotiable for the best flavor! Avoid garlic powder in the sauce if possible, as minced fresh garlic delivers a pungent, aromatic punch that dried garlic simply can’t match.
Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a lovely warmth and a subtle kick, balancing the richness of the cheese and meat. Adjust the amount to your preferred spice level – omit entirely for a milder dish or add more for extra heat.
Mozzarella Cheese: We use two kinds for ultimate cheesiness! Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully and creates those coveted cheese pulls. For an extra layer of creamy, rich texture and even more melty goodness, I highly recommend adding fresh mozzarella, which often comes in small balls (bocconcini) or a larger log that you can slice.
Ricotta Cheese: This creamy, mild Italian cheese is essential for the signature texture of baked ziti. Use full-fat ricotta for the richest, most luxurious results. If you’re not a fan of ricotta, or simply don’t have it, cottage cheese can be used as a substitute, offering a similar creamy element.
Egg: A single egg is mixed into the ricotta cheese mixture. Its purpose is to act as a binder, helping the ricotta hold its shape and preventing it from becoming too runny or oozing out excessively when you cut into the casserole.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese offers a sharp, salty, and nutty flavor that complements the other cheeses perfectly. While pre-grated Parmesan works, freshly grated from a block will always deliver superior flavor and melt.
Basil: Fresh basil adds a bright, aromatic, and slightly sweet finish to the dish. While it adds so much vibrant flavor, it is completely optional. If fresh basil isn’t available or you’re not a fan, you can certainly omit it or use dried basil in a pinch (though fresh is highly recommended for garnish).

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Classic Baked Ziti

Creating this iconic baked ziti is simpler than you might think. Follow these detailed steps to achieve a perfectly layered, cheesy, and flavorful pasta bake every time:

Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when your ziti is ready for baking.
Brown the Ground Beef: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, add your chosen ground beef. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s completely browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess fat. Season the browned beef generously with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to distribute the seasonings evenly.
Simmer the Meat Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for at least 15 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld and deepen beautifully. After 15 minutes, taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if necessary. **Crucially, reserve 2 cups of this flavorful meat sauce** in a separate bowl – this will be used for the top layer of your baked ziti.
Cook the Ziti Pasta: While your meat sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions, but **reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes** to ensure it’s slightly undercooked (al dente). Remember, the pasta will finish cooking in the oven. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, finely minced fresh parsley, finely minced fresh basil, and grated garlic clove. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Season this creamy mixture with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring it’s as flavorful as the meat sauce. Set this aside.
Combine Pasta and Meat Sauce: Add the drained, cooked pasta directly into the large pot with the remaining meat sauce. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure every piece of pasta is coated in the rich, savory sauce.
Assemble the Baked Ziti: It’s layering time!
- Spread half of the pasta and meat sauce mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Generously dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta cheese mixture over this first layer of ziti. Then, scatter slices or small balls of fresh mozzarella cheese over the ricotta.
- Carefully pour the 2 cups of reserved meat sauce over the ricotta and fresh mozzarella layer. This creates another delicious layer of flavor and moisture.
- Add the remaining half of the ziti pasta and meat sauce mixture, spreading it evenly across the dish.
- Top this final pasta layer with any remaining ricotta cheese mixture, if desired.
- Finally, sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese generously over the very top of the casserole. This will create that irresistible golden, bubbly crust.
Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, carefully remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For an extra golden-brown, slightly crispy top, you can broil the ziti for 1-2 minutes, keeping a very close eye on it to prevent burning.
Rest, Garnish, and Serve: Once out of the oven, let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set, making it easier to serve clean portions. Garnish with additional fresh basil or parsley, if desired, for a pop of color and freshness. Enjoy your homemade, comforting baked ziti!

Expert Tips for the Best Baked Ziti

Achieving a truly spectacular baked ziti is easy with these helpful tips and tricks:

Make Ahead for Enhanced Flavor: The meat sauce tastes even better the next day, so consider preparing it in advance! You can also assemble the entire baked ziti casserole hours ahead of time, or even a full day before baking. Just ensure it’s tightly covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerated until you’re ready to pop it into the oven. If baking from cold, you might need to add 5-10 minutes to the covered baking time.
A Touch of Red Wine: While not included in the main recipe, adding about 1/2 cup of dry red wine (like Chianti or Merlot) to the meat sauce while it simmers can significantly deepen its flavor profile. Allow the wine to simmer for a few minutes to cook off the alcohol before adding the marinara.
Sneak in Some Veggies: Want to boost the nutritional value or simply add more color and texture?
- Stir fresh chopped spinach into the ricotta cheese mixture for a vibrant green touch and added nutrients.
- Sauté finely diced carrots, celery, or mushrooms with the ground beef before adding the sauce for extra flavor and healthy goodness.
- Bell peppers (red, green, or yellow) are also excellent additions to the meat sauce.
Prevent Cheese from Sticking: To avoid the top layer of cheese sticking to the aluminum foil during baking, lightly spray the underside of the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Alternatively, create a “tent” with the foil, ensuring it doesn’t directly touch the cheese.
Mind the Pasta’s Doneness: This tip is worth repeating! If you want your ziti noodles to maintain their shape and have a pleasant, slightly firm bite rather than becoming mushy, always undercook them by 1-2 minutes from the package’s “al dente” recommendation. For example, if the package suggests 10 minutes for al dente, cook it for 8-9 minutes.
Season Each Layer: Don’t rely solely on the meat sauce for flavor. Ensure you season the ricotta mixture with salt and pepper, and taste and adjust seasonings at each stage of the cooking process. Layered seasoning creates a more complex and balanced dish.
Let It Rest: After baking, resist the urge to cut into your baked ziti immediately. Allowing it to rest for 5-10 minutes helps the cheeses and sauce set, making for cleaner, more intact servings.

Storage and Reheating for Delicious Leftovers

Baked ziti is one of those fantastic dishes that often tastes even better the next day. Here’s how to properly store and reheat your leftovers:

Refrigeration: Place any leftover baked ziti in an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Baked ziti freezes exceptionally well! For convenience, I highly recommend freezing leftovers in individual portions. This way, you can easily grab just what you need for a quick meal without having to defrost the entire pan. You can freeze individual servings in freezer-safe containers or even wrap them tightly in foil and then place them in a freezer bag. Frozen baked ziti will maintain its quality for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating:
- Microwave: For individual portions, simply pop them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway for even heating.
- Oven (for larger portions or entire pan): If reheating a larger portion or the entire pan, cover it with foil to prevent drying out and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly in the center. Uncover for the last 5-10 minutes if you want to crisp up the top cheese.
- From Frozen: For frozen individual portions, you can often microwave them directly, adding a minute or two to the heating time. For a full frozen pan, it’s best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight first, then reheat in the oven as described above. If baking directly from frozen, cover tightly with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-60 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

More Irresistible Pasta Recipes You Might Enjoy

If you loved this classic baked ziti, you’ll surely enjoy exploring other delicious pasta dishes from our collection. From quick skillet meals to creamy seafood pasta, there’s something for every pasta craving:

Skillet Lasagna: All the comforting layers of traditional lasagna, made quicker and easier in a single skillet!
Cherry Tomato Pasta: A vibrant, fresh, and light pasta dish featuring burst cherry tomatoes and aromatic herbs.
Penne Alla Vodka: Indulge in a creamy, rich tomato sauce with a hint of vodka, coating perfectly al dente penne.
Creamy Shrimp Alfredo: A luxurious and satisfying dish featuring tender shrimp tossed in a velvety, rich Alfredo sauce.

We truly hope you enjoy making and sharing this classic baked ziti recipe! If you tried it, please consider leaving a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Your feedback is greatly appreciated! And don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest for more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration!

baked ziti in a 9x13 baking dish with cheese and red pepper flakes on the side.

5 from 47 votes

Classic Baked Ziti

By Julie Maestre

This classic baked ziti is al dente ziti noodles, lots of cheese, and a hearty meat sauce combination. A family favorite recipe that’s perfect for feeding a crowd!

Prep: 20 minutes

Cook: 50 minutes

Total: 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings: 8

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Equipment

9×13 baking dish

Ingredients

▢ 1 lb ziti pasta
▢ 1 lb ground beef , or ground sausage
▢ 28 ounces marinara sauce, or store-bought
▢ 2 cups canned diced tomatoes, don’t drain
▢ 2 tsp garlic powder
▢ 1 tsp Italian seasoning
▢ 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
▢ 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
▢ 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
▢ salt and pepper to taste

Ricotta Cheese Mixture

▢ 2 cups ricotta cheese
▢ 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
▢ 2 tbsp parmesan cheese
▢ 1 tbsp fresh parsley , finely minced
▢ 1 tsp fresh basil , finely minced
▢ 1 garlic clove, grated
▢ 1 egg
▢ salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
Add the ground beef to a large pot and brown completely. Season the beef with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Once the 15 minutes are up, check for seasoning and reserve 2 cups of sauce.
While the meat sauce simmers, cook the ziti pasta in boiling salted water.
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, basil, and garlic. Mix well and season with salt and pepper. Set it aside.
Add the cooked pasta to the meat sauce and mix well. Add 1/2 of the pasta to a 9×13 baking dish. Place dollops of the ricotta mixture over the ziti along with fresh mozzarella cheese.
Pour the 2 cups of meat sauce over the ziti. Add the remaining layer of ziti pasta along with the remaining ricotta cheese mixture. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese over the top.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Broil for 1-2 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired, and enjoy!

Notes

The meat sauce can be made ahead of time, it will also taste a lot better. You may also assemble the baked ziti hours in advance. Just make sure to cover it and refrigerate it until you’re ready to place it in the oven.
Although I didn’t include any wine in this recipe, feel free to add 1/2 cup of red wine to the meat sauce while it cooks.
Want to include some veggies? Add some fresh chopped spinach to the ricotta mixture. You can also add carrots and mushrooms to the meat sauce.
Spray the aluminum foil with nonstick spray so it doesn’t stick to the cheese while it bakes.
If you don’t want the ziti to fall apart and become too tender, make sure to undercook it. If the package recommends cooking the pasta for 10 minutes for “al dente”, cook it for 8-9 minutes.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Julie Maestre

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Course: Entree

Cuisine: Italian American

Servings: 8

Calories: 693

Keyword: baked ziti, classic baked ziti, how to make baked ziti

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