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    Home > Blog > Pasta & Noodles > Baked Ziti

    Baked Ziti

    by Teri Lyn Fisher · Published: Mar 10, 2025 · Modified: Mar 10, 2025

    Jump to Recipe
    Baked Ziti - our delicious baked pasta casserole that is so cozy and comforting and incredibly easy to make! You can prep and freeze it ahead of time for worry free weeknight dinners!
    Baked ziti in a baking dish with some scooped out next to it.

    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

    Ingredients to make baked ziti.

    Process

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    Pasta in a colander draining for baked ziti.
    Meat mixed with pasta in a bowl for baked ziti.
    1. Add marinara and stir together.
    2. Add 1 1/2 cups mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan.
    Marinara sauce mixed with pasta and meat.
    Cheese being mixed with pasta and meat for baked ziti.
    1. Fold together until fully incorporated. Adjust seasonings as needed.
    2. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 8”x 8” baking dish.
    Baked ziti mixed in a bowl.
    Ziti mixture loaded in a baking dish.
    1. Top ziti with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
    2. 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.
    Baked ziti in a baking dish topped with some cheese.
    Baked ziti baked in a baking dish.

    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.

    Baked ziti in a baking dish.

    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.
    Close up on a baking dish full of baked ziti.
    Baked ziti on a plate with a fork on it.

    More Delicious Baked Pasta Recipes You Will Love

    • Chicken alfredo lasagne roll ups in a pan, serving with a spoon.
      Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll Ups
    • Turkey sausage and mascarpone stuffed shells in a baking dish with a spoon.
      Baked Turkey Sausage and Mascarpone Stuffed Shells
    • Chicken tetrazzini in a baking dish with a spoon in it ready to sever.
      Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe
    • Cacio e pepe pasta pie with slices cut.
      Cacio e Pepe Pasta Pie

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    Close up on baked ziti with a spoon in it.

    Baked Ziti

    5 from 57 votes
    PRINT RECIPE Pin Recipe
    Baked Ziti – our delicious baked pasta casserole that is so cozy and comforting and incredibly easy to make! You can prep and freeze it ahead of time for worry free weeknight dinners!
    RECIPE BY Teri & Jenny
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 30 minutes mins
    Total Time: 40 minutes mins
    Servings: 8

      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.

      NOTES  

    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.
    Freeze Ahead: Make recipe through step #6. Place baking dish in freezer until completely frozen. Tightly cover with foil or plastic wrap and store in freezer until ready to use. When ready to use, preheat oven to 350˚F. Place covered, frozen ziti directly into oven and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or until completely heated through and cheese on top has melted and browned. Serve.
    Calories: 389kcal Carbohydrates: 26g Protein: 19g Fat: 23g Saturated Fat: 10g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 10g Cholesterol: 58mg Sodium: 1311mg Potassium: 379mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 3g Vitamin A: 503IU Vitamin C: 5mg Calcium: 238mg Iron: 2mg
    CUISINE: American, Italian
    KEYWORD: easy dinner recipe, pasta casserole
    COURSE: dinner

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    March 10, 2025 / 37 Comments

    About Teri Lyn Fisher

    Teri Lyn Fisher is half of Spoon Fork Bacon. She is also a food and cosmetics photographer. She is a big fan of hot dogs. #sfbTERI

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    Reader Interactions

    March 10, 2025 / 37 Comments

    Comments

      5 from 57 votes (29 ratings without comment)

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    1. Jana

      July 19, 2023 at 4:25 pm

      5 stars
      This was one of those nights when you just don’t know what to have for dinner. so, after looking through my freezer and pantry, I decided to make this recipe. It is super simple to make. I did add a can of drained diced tomatoes and some Italian seasoning to the sauce mixture. My family is not a big fan of sausage but this was very tasty. I also like the fact it can be frozen, and it is pretty easy on the wallet. The only downside (no fault of the recipe) is portion control :)

      Reply
    2. Lyna

      March 17, 2021 at 11:24 pm

      I love the step by step with videos. Its very helpful! Can’t wait to try this recipe and more..

      Reply
      • Jenny Park

        March 18, 2021 at 11:56 am

        So happy to hear that! We’re trying to make things as easy and clear as possible for everyone!

        Reply
    3. allison R

      August 20, 2020 at 12:35 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy and easy. Thanks!

      Reply
    4. Lindsay

      August 09, 2020 at 9:18 am

      5 stars
      Love this with Field Roast vegetarian Italian sausage.

      Reply
      • Teri Lyn Fisher

        August 09, 2020 at 9:21 am

        Yum we LOVE field roast!

        Reply
    5. agahie raiegan

      March 17, 2020 at 8:17 am

      5 stars
      really nice
      thanks…

      Reply
    6. Sweety A.

      March 09, 2020 at 7:29 pm

      5 stars
      That’s so yum!
      It’s gonna be my next weekend receive for sure.

      Reply
    7. Veronika

      March 09, 2020 at 12:42 pm

      5 stars
      Love making Baked Ziti as comfort food in the winter! There is nothing better than a bowl with pasta, loaded with sauce and cheese! Never tried to make it with sausage but will use it next time!

      Reply
    8. Resep Masakan Indonesia

      December 13, 2014 at 8:39 pm

      It looks really great.
      I really want it!!!

      Reply
    9. Kristen

      July 08, 2014 at 7:37 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for dinner tonight and it was a huge hit! :)

      Reply
    10. Donna Limpert

      June 30, 2014 at 12:59 pm

      When you say 12 oz. of pasta is that before or after you cook it ?? I made it today and my pan was HEAPING !!! I didn’t know if it was all going to fit ! I was wondering if I did something wrong! But it looks really yummy so we will see how mine tastes !!

      Reply
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    Baked ziti in a baking dish with some scooped out next to it.
    Baked ziti on a plate with a fork on it.
    Baked ziti in a baking dish with some scooped out next to it.
    Close up on a baking dish full of baked ziti.
    Close up on baked ziti with a spoon in it.

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