Best Ever Baked Ziti Recipe
Baked ziti is the ultimate comfort food, known for its hearty layers of pasta, rich tomato sauce, and melty cheese. It’s the kind of dish that brings families together, perfect for a Sunday dinner, potluck, or any occasion that calls for a satisfying and filling meal. The beauty of baked ziti lies in its simplicity—just a few key ingredients come together to create a meal that’s as comforting as it is delicious.
This “Best Ever Baked Ziti” recipe takes the classic dish to the next level with a few simple tweaks. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just want a dish with plenty of leftovers, this baked ziti is guaranteed to become a staple in your recipe rotation.
Equipment Needed
To make the Best Ever Baked Ziti, you’ll need:
- A large pot: For boiling the pasta.
- A large skillet or saucepan: For cooking the sauce.
- A 9×13-inch baking dish: The ideal size for baking your ziti.
- Mixing bowls: To combine the cheese mixture.
- Spatula or spoon: For layering and spreading the sauce and cheese.
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Begin by cooking the ziti (or penne) pasta. Here’s how:
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of salt. This seasons the pasta as it cooks. Add the ziti and cook according to package directions, usually about 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. You want the pasta slightly undercooked because it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Drain the Pasta: Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside. Don’t rinse it, as you want the sauce to cling to the pasta.
Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce
The sauce is what gives baked ziti its hearty, rich flavor. Follow these steps to make the perfect sauce:
- Sauté the Meat: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. This takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Onions and Garlic: Once the meat is browned, add the diced onion and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the onions become soft and translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
- Stir in Tomatoes and Seasonings: Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), and salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs to suit your preferences.
Step 3: Prepare the Cheese Mixture
While the sauce is simmering, it’s time to prepare the creamy ricotta cheese mixture:
- Mix the Ricotta: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella, the grated Parmesan, the egg, and chopped parsley. Stir until everything is well mixed and smooth. This will create the creamy layers in your baked ziti.
- Season: Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the ricotta mixture to enhance the flavor.
Step 4: Assemble the Baked Ziti
Now that the pasta, sauce, and cheese mixture are ready, it’s time to assemble the baked ziti:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Layer the Ingredients:
- Start by spreading a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the 9×13-inch baking dish. This prevents the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Next, add half of the cooked ziti pasta.
- Spoon half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta, spreading it out evenly.
- Pour half of the remaining meat sauce over the ricotta layer.
- Repeat these layers with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce.
- Top with Mozzarella: Sprinkle the remaining cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the final layer of sauce. This will create a beautiful, melty, cheesy top.
Step 5: Bake the Ziti
Once your ziti is assembled, it’s time to bake it:
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Covering it ensures that the cheese doesn’t brown too quickly.
- Uncover and Bake More: After 25 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Broil (Optional): If you like a crispy, slightly browned top, you can broil the ziti for 2-3 minutes at the end of the baking time. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
Step 6: Serve
Once baked, remove the ziti from the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set and makes it easier to cut and serve. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil for a pop of color and freshness.
Tips for Success
To ensure your Best Ever Baked Ziti turns out perfectly every time, consider these helpful tips:
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Remember, you want the pasta to be slightly undercooked before it goes into the oven. It will continue to cook while baking and absorb the sauce, making it perfectly tender.
- Choose High-Quality Cheese: The better the quality of your ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, the richer and more flavorful your ziti will be.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the ziti up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, simply follow the baking instructions. It may need a few extra minutes in the oven since it will be cold from the fridge.
- Freezing Option: Baked ziti freezes wonderfully! To freeze, assemble the ziti but don’t bake it. Wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.
Variations
This recipe is incredibly versatile, and there are plenty of ways to customize it to your liking:
- Vegetarian Baked Ziti: Omit the meat and add sautéed vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms for a meatless version.
- Spicy Ziti: Add extra red pepper flakes to the sauce or use spicy Italian sausage for a kick of heat.
- Four Cheese Ziti: For an even cheesier version, mix in some extra cheeses like provolone or asiago into the ricotta layer.
- Add Fresh Herbs: While dried herbs are used in this recipe, you can also add fresh basil or oregano to the sauce for an extra burst of freshness.
Conclusion
The Best Ever Baked Ziti is truly a crowd-pleaser. With its rich layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and gooey cheese, it’s a dish that’s both comforting and indulgent. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, a special occasion, or just a regular weeknight meal, this baked ziti recipe will quickly become a favorite. The beauty of the dish lies in its versatility—you can customize it with different meats, cheeses, or vegetables, making it the perfect go-to meal when you need something delicious and satisfying.
Best Ever Baked Ziti Recipe
Baked ziti is the ultimate comfort food, known for its hearty layers of pasta, rich tomato sauce, and melty cheese. It's the kind of dish that brings families together, perfect for a Sunday dinner, potluck, or any occasion that calls for a satisfying and filling meal. The beauty of baked ziti lies in its simplicity—just a few key ingredients come together to create a meal that’s as comforting as it is delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ziti pasta
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz (680g) marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 15 oz (425g) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef (or Italian sausage) to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and marinara sauce. Simmer for 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Make the Cheese Mixture:
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, 1/2 cup of Parmesan, the egg, and chopped basil. Mix until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Assemble the Baked Ziti:
- In a large baking dish (9x13 inch), spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom.
- Add half of the cooked ziti pasta, then spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta.
- Top with half of the remaining meat sauce.
- Repeat with the rest of the pasta, the remaining ricotta mixture, and the rest of the meat sauce.
- Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
6. Serve:
- Remove from the oven and let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and serve hot.
Notes
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the baked ziti ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 minutes to the baking time if chilled.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the meat and use sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach for a veggie version.
- Freezing: This baked ziti freezes well. Assemble the dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F for about 50-60 minutes, uncovering for the last 15 minutes.