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This Baked Ziti is loaded with tender pasta, a rich and flavorful meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and plenty of melted mozzarella. The ground beef is seasoned like meatballs before it goes into the sauce, so every bite has that cozy Italian-inspired flavor. It’s a hearty family dinner that’s easy enough for a weeknight and makes plenty to share.
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Table of Contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hearty, cheesy, and full of comforting flavor.
- The meatball-style seasonings make the sauce extra delicious without rolling meatballs.
- Feeds 10 and works well for family dinners, potlucks, and leftovers.
- Easy to prepare ahead and bake when you’re ready.
What Is Baked Ziti?
Baked ziti is an Italian-American pasta casserole made with cooked pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese. This version includes seasoned ground beef, creamy ricotta, and mozzarella, all baked together until hot and bubbly.
Key Ingredients
NOTE: This section highlights ingredients used in the recipe. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
Ziti pasta: Short pasta tubes catch the sauce and cheese in every bite.
Ground beef: Seasoned with Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
Marinara sauce: Use your favorite jarred or homemade marinara.
Ricotta cheese: Creates creamy pockets throughout the casserole.
Mozzarella cheese: Makes the melted, bubbly topping.
Ingredients & Substitutions
NOTE: This section suggests substitutions. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
- Ziti: Penne or rigatoni work well in its place.
- Ground beef: Substitute ground turkey or ground chicken. You can also replace half or all of the beef and its seasonings with Italian sausage.
- Parmesan: Pecorino Romano is a good substitute.
- Marinara: Use your favorite homemade or store-bought pasta sauce.
- Ricotta: Small-curd cottage cheese can be used for a lighter, slightly different texture.
- Mozzarella: Try part-skim mozzarella or a mix of mozzarella and provolone.
- Red chili flakes: Leave them out for a milder dish, or add more for extra heat.
Variations
- Italian sausage baked ziti: Replace half or all of the beef with Italian sausage. If using all sausage, omit the beef’s seasoning mixture and drain excess fat after browning.
- Extra cheesy: Add a little more Parmesan between the layers.
- Vegetable-packed: Stir cooked spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini into the meat sauce.
- Meatless: Omit the beef and add sautéed mushrooms or vegetables to the marinara.
Tips for Best Results
- Cook the pasta just until al dente so it doesn’t become mushy in the oven.
- Grate mozzarella from a block for the smoothest melt.
- Lean ground beef usually doesn’t need added oil. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Reserve about one-quarter of the meat sauce before tossing the pasta, so the top stays saucy.
- Broil only briefly and watch closely. The cheese can brown in seconds.
- Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving if you want neater portions.
FAQs
Yes. Assemble it, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake until hot all the way through, allowing extra time if it goes into the oven cold.
Yes. Cook it just until al dente and drain it before mixing it with the sauce.
Absolutely! Penne and rigatoni are both great choices for this casserole.
Yes. Replace half or all of the beef with Italian sausage, and drain any excess grease before adding the marinara.
Yes. Wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Overcooked pasta or too little sauce can make it dry. Cook the pasta al dente and keep the reserved sauce for the top.
This recipe bakes uncovered so the cheese melts and bubbles. If the top starts browning too soon, cover it loosely with foil.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave until steaming hot, or cover the baking dish with foil and warm at 350°F until heated through. Freeze tightly wrapped portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Quick Steps
NOTE: This section includes a step-by-step guide. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix the beef with Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
- Brown the seasoned beef in a deep skillet or Dutch oven for 8-10 minutes, until fully cooked.
- Stir in the marinara and bring to a simmer. Set aside one-quarter of the sauce.
- Toss the cooked ziti with the sauce remaining in the pot.
- Layer half the pasta, half the ricotta, and about 1 cup mozzarella in the dish.
- Add the rest of the pasta, reserved sauce, remaining ricotta, and remaining mozzarella. Sprinkle with oregano.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly. Broil briefly to brown the cheese, watching carefully.
Make Ahead
You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Add extra baking time as needed, and make sure the center is hot before serving.
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What to Serve With Baked Ziti
Serve this cheesy baked ziti with warm garlic bread, a crisp green salad, or roasted broccoli. A simple Caesar salad or sautéed green beans also helps balance the rich sauce and cheese.
If You Enjoyed This Recipe
For another cheesy, comforting pasta dinner, give Cheesy Baked Spaghetti a try. It’s a family favorite that’s just as satisfying as this Baked Ziti.
Love the flavors of lasagna but want something a little different? Lasagna Soup brings those familiar flavors together in a warm, cozy bowl.
On busy evenings, Instant Pot Spaghetti is a great option when you need a hearty dinner without spending all evening in the kitchen.
You can also shake up pasta night with Cowboy Spaghetti. It’s hearty, flavorful, and sure to please a hungry crowd.
For something with a Tex-Mex twist, Taco Spaghetti combines two family favorites into one easy meal.
And when you’re craving something creamy with a little kick, Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is another delicious dinner worth adding to your menu.
Looking for more meal inspiration? Browse my Recipe Index for plenty of easy dinners, tasty sides, and sweet treats.
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Baked Ziti
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Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- dutch oven or similar pot (to boil the pasta)
- colander (to drain the pasta)
- large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 32 ounces marinara sauce
- 16 ounces ziti pasta, cooked al dente and drained
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
- additional dried oregano, plus more for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Combine ground beef, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes.1 pound lean ground beef, 2 tablespoons grated parmesan, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
- Cook seasoned beef in a hot deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, breaking it apart, until browned and no pink remains.
- Add marinara and simmer briefly. Reserve about one-quarter of the meat sauce, then stir the cooked ziti into the sauce remaining in the pan. Remove from heat.32 ounces marinara sauce, 16 ounces ziti pasta
- Spread half of the sauced pasta into the prepared baking dish. Dollop with half the ricotta and sprinkle with about 1 cup of the mozzarella.15 ounces ricotta cheese, 16 ounces mozzarella cheese
- Add remaining pasta, top with reserved meat sauce, dollop with remaining ricotta, and cover with remaining mozzarella. Sprinkle with a little extra oregano.additional dried oregano
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted. If desired, broil briefly on high to brown the cheese, watching closely.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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