Gather round, my fellow kitchen warriors, because we’re about to embark on a cheesy, saucy, and absolutely mouthwatering journey with this Baked Ziti recipe! 🧀🍝 This classic Italian-American dish is the ultimate comfort food, and I’m here to guide you through making it with all the personality and drama it deserves. Put on your apron, grab your spatula, and let’s get ready to put on a show in the kitchen! 🎨
Why You’ll Love This Baked Ziti Recipe
Listen, I’m not just gonna tell you this recipe is good – I’m here to warn you that it’s illegal levels of delicious. 🤯 Seriously, one bite and you’ll be questioning all your life choices that led you to this moment. Juicy ground beef, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, all nestled between layers of al dente ziti noodles and a rich, herby tomato sauce. 😋 It’s like a hug for your taste buds, and I promise you won’t be able to stop at just one serving. (Unless you have no soul. 😈)
Ingredients You’ll Need
Okay, gather up your ingredients, folks, because we’re about to get this party started! 🎉 You’ll need ground beef, onion, garlic, canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, fresh basil, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and of course, ziti noodles. 🍝 Gather ’em up and let’s get cooking!
- 1 lb — Ground beef
- 1 cup — Chopped onion
- 3 cloves — Minced garlic
- 1 (28 oz) can — Crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp — Tomato paste
Ingredient Swaps (No Panic Allowed)
- Ground beef → Ground turkey or Italian sausage (still delicious, promise) ✅
- Ziti pasta → Penne, rigatoni, or elbow macaroni (easy pasta swap) 👍
How to Make Baked Ziti Recipe (Step-by-Step)
Alright, time to put on our performance caps, because we’re about to take this recipe to the next level! 🎭 First up, let’s get our prep work done – brown that ground beef with some onions and garlic until it’s nice and crumbly. 🍖 Then, we’ll whip up a quick and easy tomato sauce by stirring in some crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, and fresh basil. 🍅 Now, for the fun part – assembling our masterpiece!
Step 1: Prep Work
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef with the onion and garlic until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat. 🧹 While the beef is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In the same skillet, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, and chopped basil. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 🍝
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked ziti, beef mixture, ricotta cheese, and half the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. 🧀 Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 baking dish and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Bake the ziti for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. 🔥 Let it rest for 5 minutes, then grab your spoon and prepare to be amazed. 🥄 This is the moment we’ve been waiting for, folks!
How to Know It’s Done (No Guessing)
Okay, listen up because this is the most important part – how do you know when your baked ziti is perfectly cooked and ready to enjoy? 🤔
Look for
- The cheese on top to be melted and lightly golden brown. 🧀
- The noodles to be tender but still have a bit of bite. 👌
- The ziti to hold its shape nicely when you scoop it out. 💁♀️
Avoid
- A runny, saucy mess. 🙅♀️
- Dry, overcooked noodles. 😒
If it’s too… here’s the fix
- Not browning — Crank up the oven temp a bit. 🔥
- Too dry — Drizzle on some extra sauce before baking. 🍅
Optional temp note (only if it makes sense): Not needed here — visual cues are enough.
If you like quick oven-troubleshooting tips and bake-time cues, you might also enjoy this guide to common baking mistakes from BBC Good Food.
What to Do If It Goes Wrong (Fix-It Guide)
Alright, listen up, because I know the kitchen can be a wild and unpredictable place. 🤯 But don’t worry, I’ve got your back!
- Too salty — Stir in a splash of milk or cream to balance it out.
- Too dry — Drizzle on some extra tomato sauce before serving.
- Too runny — Pop it back in the oven for 10-15 more minutes to soak up the extra liquid.
- Not browning — Increase the oven temperature to help the cheese get nice and golden.
Good news: almost everything is fixable. Panic is optional. 😌
Recipe Variations & Tips (Tiny Checklist, Big Energy)
Before you freestyle: run this quick checklist like a kitchen boss.
- Swap in Italian sausage — for an extra savory kick 👍
- Add veggies — like spinach or mushrooms for a nutritional boost ✅
- Layer in mozzarella — for a cheesy surprise in every bite 🎉
- Top with crispy pepperoni — for a little extra something-something 🚀
Warning: This may cause sudden happiness and suspicious silence at the dinner table. Proceed responsibly. 😅
Serving & Storage
| Topic | Notes |
|---|---|
| Best serving ideas | Serve this baked ziti straight from the oven, with a crisp green salad and some warm, crusty garlic bread on the side. 🥖 It’s the perfect cozy, comforting meal! |
| Fridge storage | Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. 🧊 |
| Freezer storage | This baked ziti also freezes beautifully! Just wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. 🥶 |
| Reheating | To reheat, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake at 375°F until hot and bubbly, about 20-25 minutes. 🔥 |
| Make-ahead tips | Assemble the ziti up to 1 day in advance, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake. 🗓️ |
Nutrition Notes
Alright, let’s talk about the important stuff – the nutrition info! 🍽️ Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Astrid, is this baked ziti recipe healthy?” Well, let me be real with you – it’s not exactly a salad. 😅 But hey, sometimes you just need a big, cheesy, comforting hug from your food, and this ziti is here to deliver. 🤗 With 380 calories and 18g of protein per serving, it’s a satisfying and indulgent meal that’s perfect for those cozy nights in.
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the recipe
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbs: 38 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Sodium: 770 mg
BAKED ZITI RECIPE FOR FAMILY DINNERS 🍽️
Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American dish made of ziti pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella. Perfect for family dinners!
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
– 1 pound ziti pasta
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 onion, chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
– 4 cups marinara sauce
– 15 ounces ricotta cheese
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sauté until translucent.
- Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked ziti, ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, and the meat sauce mixture. Mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let it cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. It also freezes well! You can substitute the meat with vegetables or use a meat alternative for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Burgers, Melts & Sandwiches 🍔
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: baked ziti, pasta, comfort food, family dinner
Quick Questions People Always Ask
Absolutely! This baked ziti is the perfect make-ahead meal. You can assemble the whole thing up to 1 day in advance, cover it, and pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. 🗓️ Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time to account for it being cold from the fridge.
Yes, you can definitely freeze this baked ziti! 🥶 Just assemble the whole dish, cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and pop it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the fridge overnight and then bake as usual. Easy peasy!
The key signs your baked ziti is perfectly cooked are: 1) the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden brown, 2) the noodles are tender but still have a bit of bite, and 3) the ziti holds its shape nicely when you scoop it out. 👌 No need for a thermometer, just use your eyes and a gentle poke!
Absolutely! While classic ziti is the way to go, you can definitely use other short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or even elbow macaroni. 🍝 Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed to account for any size differences. The most important thing is that the pasta is cooked al dente before assembling the dish.
Reheating leftover baked ziti is a breeze! Just pop it in the oven at 375°F until it’s hot and bubbly again, about 20-25 minutes. 🔥 You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, but keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t dry out. A quick sprinkle of extra sauce or a drizzle of milk can help keep it nice and moist.