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    Home > Blog > Pasta & Noodles > Baked Ziti

    Baked Ziti

    by Teri Lyn Fisher · Published: 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

    Previous Post: < Previous Post Gochujang Noodles
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    Reader Interactions

    March 10, 2025 / 37 Comments

    Comments

      5 from 57 votes (29 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




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    1. Big Mike

      June 17, 2014 at 9:46 pm

      5 stars
      Everything looks great, but I ad seasoned Ricotta cheese.
      Ricotta cheese seasoned with Garlic powder, parsley, Basil, Oregano, grated Locatelli Pecorino Romano, and 1 egg. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix all together and add to ziti before baking. It is fantastic

      Reply
    2. Maria

      December 28, 2013 at 10:08 am

      5 stars
      I made this today and added provolone and ricotta cheese! Super cheesy and super delicious! Thanks for great recipe!

      Reply
    3. Sara Grace

      April 15, 2012 at 1:06 pm

      The styling on this is fantastic! This recipe looks wonderful, too!

      Reply
    4. Lea @ iCooklea

      April 14, 2012 at 2:10 am

      5 stars
      This was awesome – and I loooove your pictures

      Reply
    5. Sara

      April 11, 2012 at 11:58 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this tonight and my hubby and I both loved it! The spicy sausage was perfect and the cheesy baked pasta was super yummy! We’ve had this at restaurants but we both liked this version best. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    6. Sally @ Spontaneous Hausfrau

      April 11, 2012 at 6:39 am

      Oh, I totally hear you on the scarf thing. I’ve run out of “scarf storage room” but I can’t seem to stop buying them. They’re just too much fun and too easy. Plus, a nice big scarf is perfect for hiding a bloated belly from eating too much baked ziti. Which, now that I have this recipe, is obviously what I plan on doing pretty soon.

      Reply
    7. Kelly @ Studio DIY

      April 11, 2012 at 12:18 am

      I live in LA too and I’m with ya on the boots, scarves and sweaters! Even if it’s going to be 75+ I feel like I need all three. Also with you on the food front, long live pasta!

      Reply
    8. Brittany

      April 10, 2012 at 10:20 pm

      Yes, winter food all the time!! I’ve gotten used to everyone in the house groaning as I turn the oven on during a hot summer afternoon, and I don’t care! Warm, gooey, heavy food is just comforting, and I’m down for that any time of year. :)

      Reply
    9. kale @ tastes good to me!

      April 10, 2012 at 8:22 pm

      Yes, I’m with you! Pasta and chowder all year!

      Reply
    10. Anna @ the shady pine

      April 10, 2012 at 2:12 pm

      This is a perfect omforting dish for the cooler weather…my family will love this ish so I am going to try it out.

      Reply
    11. Yadsia @ShopCookMake

      April 10, 2012 at 10:44 am

      5 stars
      This was soooooo good! Pasta and cheese, what else do we need to survive? lol

      Reply
    12. brookeO

      April 10, 2012 at 7:49 am

      I love winter and can completely relate. This ziti looks like it makes the spring resistance totally worth it!

      Reply
    13. shelly (cookies and cups)

      April 10, 2012 at 5:03 am

      I have never seen Baked Ziti look so pretty!

      Reply
    14. Ashley

      April 09, 2012 at 8:50 pm

      I adore that wooden spoon! Totally loving these photos, per usual…and all that cheesy goodness. :)

      Reply
    15. Karen

      April 09, 2012 at 7:12 pm

      I recently moved to LA from San Francisco, and my scarves are atrophy-ing in my closet. :( Now I feel the need to bake some ziti and get them out! *sigh* I miss them…

      Reply
    16. Blog is the New Black

      April 09, 2012 at 5:29 pm

      5 stars
      Such a classic! This was the best ziti!

      Reply
    17. Shari @ The Daily Dish

      April 09, 2012 at 3:24 pm

      5 stars
      You just turned a messy casserole dish into something beautiful. Amazing.

      Reply
    18. Heather (Heather's Dish)

      April 09, 2012 at 1:03 pm

      girl, just get a lighter summer scarf :) that’s what i’d do anyway…that and a big fat bowl of baked ziti!

      Reply
    19. ileana

      April 09, 2012 at 12:43 pm

      I live in Florida. But I love scarves! and I wish I had more opportunities to wear them.

      Reply
    20. Amanda

      April 09, 2012 at 12:24 pm

      I feel the same way about having to ditch my scarf…I hate it! I kinda feel naked without it.

      Reply
    21. Emily (New York, NY)

      April 09, 2012 at 12:23 pm

      5 stars
      Sooo cheesy – yummm!! When I was younger and eating my mothers home cooked meals every night (ohh I long for those days sometimes) ziti night was my faveee! And I so get you on that no light spring/summer food – I’m all about that! I like “real” food (haha).

      Reply
    22. Megan

      April 09, 2012 at 12:08 pm

      I want pasta always and ice cream always too. I totally get it. This looks so good, too! I’m hungry knowing it exists. :)

      Reply
    23. Nicole {Sweet Peony}

      April 09, 2012 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      So pretty I might die. Gorgeous, cheesy, yummmm!

      Reply
    24. Amy

      April 09, 2012 at 11:22 am

      5 stars
      Yum this was fantastic. Right now my office is freezing, and it makes me want a heaping pile of this pasta!

      I’m a sweater girl too – I just get light sweaters to layer over dresses and flats for the warmer weather.

      xoxo,

      mon amy

      Reply
    25. Mary @ Bake Break

      April 09, 2012 at 11:20 am

      I’m totally with you on the heavy winter foods: all. year. long. The scarfs aren’t an issue here in Montana – I can wear them all year and nobody bats an eye! Haha! There are plenty of cute, light, summery scarves – I have no doubt you’ll be fine.

      Thanks for the recipe!

      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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