This Baked Ziti recipe is so classic and delicious and the perfect make ahead weeknight meal. You can totally make your own sauce but you can also buy a great quality jar from the store to keep things simple. We love this jarred marinara sauce.
This recipe also makes really great leftovers for the next day. It reheats really well and you don’t have to worry about this dish drying out since we’ve made ours pretty saucy. Our baked ziti so comforting, delicious and makes enough to feed a small crowd.
What is Baked Ziti?
Baked Ziti is a classic American Italian dish. It is made in a casserole dish, and typically uses a tomato sauce, and cheese, as well as other ingredients to suit your taste. It is prepared with cooked ziti pasta, and then baked in the oven.
How to Make Baked Ziti
Ingredients
Process
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a small handful of salt and pasta to water and stir. Boil pasta for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until pasta is al dente. Drain, toss with a teaspoon of oil, pour into a large mixing bowl.
- Pour olive oil into a large sauté pan and place over medium- high heat. Add sausage and break apart with a wooden spoon. Cook sausage for about 5 minutes or until evenly browned. Drain and add to pasta.
- Add marinara and stir together.
- Add 1 1/2 cups mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan.
- Fold together until fully incorporated. Adjust seasonings as needed.
- Pour mixture into a lightly greased 8”x 8” baking dish.
- Top ziti with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to broiler for 1 or 2 minutes until top has browned and is bubbling. Allow ziti to cool for 5 to 7 minutes, top with fresh basil leaves and serve.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions
Make Ahead
Prepare the recipe as directed, until it’s time to place it in the oven. Tightly wrap the ziti in foil and place it in the refrigerator for up to three days.
When ready to serve bake the ziti, with the foil, for 15 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until completely heated through.
Freezing
Prepare the recipe as directed, until it’s time to place it in the oven. Tightly wrap the ziti in foil and place it in the freezer for up to three months.
When ready to serve place frozen ziti directly into a hot oven, with foil, for 45 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until completely heated through.
What to Serve with Baked Ziti
Baked Ziti is a great stand alone dish, but if you want something to sop up any extra sauce or you’re looking to add some vegetables/greens to the meal, our favorite options are below!
- Garlic Bread
- Sour Cream and Chive Drop Biscuits
- Lightly Roasted Green Beans
- Roasted Cauliflower
- Caesar Salad
- Chopped Salad
Variations
- The Italian pork sausage can be swapped out for turkey sausage or a plant-based alternative.
- Sautéed mushrooms can also be swapped into for the sausage for the vegetarian friendly option.
- Sautéed spinach, kale and blanched broccoli florets can be added to the mixture to get more vegetables into the dish (just add a little more sauce to the mixture to ensure the dish doesn’t end up dry out of the oven.
- Try stirring a small amount of cream into the sauce before combining with the other ingredients for a richer sauce.
More Delicious Baked Pasta Recipes You Will Love
Baked Ziti
EQUIPMENT
- casserole dish
INGREDIENTS
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 sweet or spicy Italian sausages casings removed
- 2 cups marinara sauce homemade or store bought
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1/2 cup parmesan grated
- salt and pepper to taste
- basil leaves garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a small handful of salt and pasta to water and stir. Boil pasta for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until pasta is al dente. Drain, toss with a teaspoon of oil, pour into a large mixing bowl.
- Pour remaining olive oil into a large sauté pan and place over medium- high heat. Add sausage and break apart with a wooden spoon. Cook sausage for about 5 minutes or until evenly browned. Drain and add to pasta.
- Add marinara, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella and 1/4 cup parmesan and gently fold together until fully incorporated. Adjust seasonings.
- Pour mixture into a lightly greased 8”x 8” baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a broiler and broil for 1 to 2 minutes until browned and bubbling.
- Allow ziti to cool for 5 to 7 minutes before topping with basil leaves and serving.