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    Home > Blog > Pasta & Noodles > Baked Ziti

    Baked Ziti

    by Teri Lyn Fisher · Published: Oct 9, 2020 · Modified: Jun 16, 2021

    Jump to Recipe
    Baked ziti, our delicious baked pasta casserole that you can freeze ahead for worry free weeknight dinners!
    Baked Ziti in a casserole dish with a spoon in it.
    Baked ziti in a casserole dish close up.
    Baked ziti with some scooped out into a bowl next to it.
    Baked Ziti in a blue pan with a spoon.

    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.

    I added a little bit of diced bell pepper to this easy baked pasta. It adds nice texture to the dish. You can totally omit it though, and make this dish even more simple. Our baked ziti so comforting, delicious and makes enough to feed a crowd.

    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.

    How to make Baked Ziti

    Baked Ziti ingredients laid out and labeled on a kitchen counter.
    1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
    2. 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.
    3. Pour 1 tablespoon of 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.
    4. Discard grease and add remaining oil to pan. Add onion, bell peppers and garlic to pan and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Pour onion mixture over sausage and pasta mixture and toss together.
    5. Add marinara, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella and ¼ cup parmesan and gently fold together until fully incorporated. Adjust seasonings as needed.
    6. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 8”x 8” baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
    7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese bubbles and browns.
    8. Allow ziti to cool for 5 to 7 minutes before serving.
    Jump to Recipe
    A pot of marinara sauce next to a coated wooden spoon and blue gingham linen.
    If you have a little extra time, our homemade Marinara sauce is delicious and perfect for this recipe!
    Cooked ziti pasta tossed with a little olive oil in a bowl.
    Cooked ziti pasta tossed with olive oil.
    Cooked Italian sausages in a bowl.
    Drained cooked Italian Sausage.
    Sauted onion and green bell peppers in a skillet.
    Sautéd green bell pepper, garlic, and onion.
    A bowl full of ziti to be used in baked ziti.
    Mix together the cooked pasta, sausage, onion garlic and green bell pepper and some of the cheese.
    Baked ziti in a baking dish ready for the oven.
    Place in a baking dish and top with more mozzarella and Parmesan.
    Jump to Recipe

    FAQs

    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

    Can this be made ahead of time?

    Yes! 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.

    Can this baked ziti be frozen?

    Yes! 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.

    Variations

    • The Italian pork sausage can be swapped out for turkey sausage.
    • Sautéed mushrooms can also be swapped into for the sausage for the vegetarian friendly option.
    • Sautéed spinach or kale can be added to the mixture to get more vegetables into the dish.
    • Trying stirring a small amount of cream into the sauce before combining with the other ingredients for a richer sauce.

    We love this baked ziti recipe so much. It’s simple, cozy and delicious. We also love that it only requires a handful of ingredients and that it’s a flexible recipe based on what you have on hand.

    If you love baked pasta recipes as much as we do, we suggest checking out some of our other baked pasta recipes like our Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll Ups, our Baked Bucatini and Meatballs, or our Baked Turkey Sausage and Mascarpone Stuffed Shells. Enjoy!

    A close up of baked ziti.

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    Baked Ziti in a blue pan with a spoon.

    Baked Ziti

    5 from 51 votes
    PRINT RECIPE Pin Recipe
    Baked ziti, our delicious baked pasta casserole that you can freeze ahead for worry free weeknight dinners!
    RECIPE BY Teri & Jenny
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 1 hr
    Servings: 8

      EQUIPMENT  

    • casserole dish

      INGREDIENTS  

    • 8 ounces ziti pasta
    • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 spicy Italian sausages casings removed
    • ½ small yellow onion diced
    • 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 2 cups marinara sauce homemade or store bought
    • 2 cups part-skim mozzarella cheese divided
    • ½ cup parmesan grated
    • salt and pepper to taste

      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 1 tablespoon of 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.
    • Discard grease and add remaining oil to pan. Add onion, bell peppers and garlic to pan and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Pour onion mixture over sausage and pasta mixture and toss together.
    • Add marinara, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella and ¼ 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 or until the cheese bubbles and browns.
    • Allow ziti to cool for 5 to 7 minutes before serving.

      NOTES  

    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: 366kcal Carbohydrates: 27g Protein: 18g Fat: 21g Saturated Fat: 8g Cholesterol: 43mg Sodium: 802mg Potassium: 402mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 4g Vitamin A: 504IU Vitamin C: 18mg Calcium: 316mg Iron: 2mg
    CUISINE: American, Italian
    KEYWORD: casserole, pasta,
    COURSE: dinner

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    October 9, 2020 / 36 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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    October 9, 2020 / 36 Comments

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    1. 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
    2. allison R

      August 20, 2020 at 12:35 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy and easy. Thanks!

      Reply
    3. 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
    4. agahie raiegan

      March 17, 2020 at 8:17 am

      5 stars
      really nice
      thanks…

      Reply
    5. 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
    6. 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
    7. Resep Masakan Indonesia

      December 13, 2014 at 8:39 pm

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

      Reply
    8. Kristen

      July 08, 2014 at 7:37 pm

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

      Reply
    9. 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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