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

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.

Pasta in a colander draining for baked ziti.

Meat mixed with pasta in a bowl for baked ziti.

Add marinara and stir together.
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.

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.

Baked ziti in a baking dish topped with some cheese.

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!

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

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Baked Ziti

5 from 57 votes

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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

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 40

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