If your soul craves the ultimate comfort food, look no further than Classic Baked Ziti. Gooey mozzarella, layers of rich zesty sauce, creamy ricotta, and perfectly cooked pasta meld into a gorgeous symphony in every bite. This dish checks every box, whether you’re serving a big family dinner, hosting a casual potluck, or simply want to enjoy leftovers for days. The best part? Classic Baked Ziti is delightfully easy but tastes like it took all afternoon. Get ready to discover a true crowd-pleaser you’ll want to pass down through generations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Classic Baked Ziti is all about making the most of simple, reliable ingredients. Each one plays a starring role in delivering flavor, creaminess, or that irresistible golden crust everyone fights over!
- Ziti pasta: The classic tube shape holds sauce beautifully and stays delightfully tender after baking.
- Olive oil: Adding just a touch helps keep the pasta from sticking—and boosts the flavor right from the start.
- Ground beef or Italian sausage: Choose your favorite for a robust, meaty layer; sausage brings extra spice if that’s your thing.
- Onion: Sweet, mellow onion builds depth in the sauce.
- Garlic: A must for any Italian-style dish, fragrant garlic makes the sauce richer and more aromatic.
- Marinara sauce: Store-bought or homemade, use a tangy tomato base as the backbone of your casserole.
- Tomato sauce: Adds extra body and sauciness, ensuring the ziti doesn’t dry out in the oven.
- Dried basil: Bright, slightly sweet, and an essential Italian herb for a classic flavor profile.
- Dried oregano: Brings that nostalgic Italian-American pizzeria aroma we all adore.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): For a touch of heat that wakes up your tastebuds without overwhelming the dish.
- Salt: The unsung hero that brings out the best in every layer.
- Black pepper: A bit of pepper sharpens the flavors and rounds out the seasoning.
- Ricotta cheese: Luxuriously creamy, it creates those heavenly, melty pockets throughout every slice.
- Egg: Binds the ricotta mixture so the texture stays rich but never runny.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Classic Baked Ziti’s signature melt factor comes from plenty of mozzarella, inside and on top!
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Nutty, salty, and perfect for that umami punch around the edges of your casserole.
- Chopped fresh parsley: Adds a touch of brightness and pretty flecks of green in every layer.
How to Make Classic Baked Ziti
Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Pasta
Start by boiling your ziti according to the package directions until it’s al dente—you want the pasta to have a little bite since it’ll continue softening in the oven. Drain thoroughly, then toss with olive oil to prevent sticking. This small step makes a big difference; your Classic Baked Ziti will come out perfectly separated and saucy every time.
Step 2: Make the Savory Meat Sauce
While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium and add your choice of ground beef or Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Throw in diced onion and let it all brown until the meat’s no longer pink and the onion is soft and fragrant—about 7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just one minute (don’t let it burn!), then pour in the marinara and tomato sauces. This is where you’ll also sprinkle in the basil, oregano, red pepper flakes if you’re using them, salt, and black pepper. Simmer everything together for 10 minutes, letting those classic Italian flavors meld beautifully.
Step 3: Mix Up the Creamy Ricotta Layer
Now, grab a medium bowl and combine ricotta cheese, a large egg, half the mozzarella, a portion of the Parmesan, and your chopped parsley. Mix gently until fully blended. This luscious mixture creates creamy dollops throughout the casserole and perfectly balances the rich meat sauce—an absolute signature of Classic Baked Ziti.
Step 4: Layer the Ziti for Maximum Flavor
Time for the fun part—building your ziti masterpiece! Start by spreading a generous cup of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish so nothing sticks. Next, layer in half the cooked ziti, half of your ricotta mixture, and a hearty scoop of the remaining sauce. Repeat these layers to use up the rest of your ingredients, creating that iconic stacked effect. Finish strong by showering the top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan for that crave-worthy, bubbly crust.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Bubbling
Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 25 minutes so the cheese melts and the flavors come together. Uncover, then bake an additional 15 minutes until the top is gloriously golden and bubbling at the edges. Let your Classic Baked Ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving—this step is the secret to easy slicing and irresistible, oozy layers that hold together beautifully.
How to Serve Classic Baked Ziti
Garnishes
Bring your Classic Baked Ziti to the table with flair! A few fresh parsley leaves or extra Parmesan on top add eye-catching color and a burst of freshness. If you like a rustic touch, a drizzle of good olive oil or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper will wake up your final dish.
Side Dishes
This pasta extravaganza begs to be partnered with simple sides—think a crisp green salad tossed with vinaigrette or some garlicky steamed broccoli. And of course, nothing sops up the sauce like warm garlic bread or a rustic Italian loaf fresh out of the oven.
Creative Ways to Present
While a classic casserole is always welcome, you can try serving baked ziti in individual ramekins for dinner parties, or as the centerpiece of a family-style buffet. Leftovers make terrific hot panini sandwiches, or you can even stuff a scoop in a hollowed-out bread bowl for a playful twist. Classic Baked Ziti is as adaptable as your imagination!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep leftover Classic Baked Ziti tasting fresh, let it cool completely, then cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap and pop it in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to four days, and the flavors just keep getting better the next day.
Freezing
Baked ziti is a freezer hero! Assemble it fully but don’t bake, then wrap tightly in plastic and aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to two months. You can also freeze baked portions—perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a home-cooked meal in a hurry.
Reheating
When it’s time to revive your leftovers, warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat the whole dish in a 350°F oven (covered to prevent drying). For frozen casseroles, bake straight from the freezer—just add 20-30 extra minutes, keeping it covered until piping hot, then uncover for a cheesy, bubbly finish!
FAQs
Can I make Classic Baked Ziti vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just replace the meat with a mix of sautéed mushrooms and spinach, or even roasted eggplant for a super-satisfying yet entirely meatless meal.
What’s the best pasta shape if I can’t find ziti?
Penne or rigatoni work beautifully if ziti isn’t handy—just look for something tubular that holds onto the sauce and cheese in every bite.
Can I assemble Classic Baked Ziti ahead of time?
Yes! This dish is ideal for prepping a day or two in advance. Just cover and refrigerate before baking, then pop it in the oven when ready (you may need to add a few extra minutes to the bake time).
How do I prevent my ziti from drying out?
Be generous with the sauce—make sure each noodle is coated before layering, and don’t skimp on the ricotta layer. Covering with foil for the first part of baking also locks in moisture for that signature creamy texture.
Can I use jarred sauce, or should I make it from scratch?
Either works! Jarred marinara keeps Classic Baked Ziti weeknight-friendly, but if you have homemade sauce on hand, absolutely use it for even deeper flavor. The beauty of this recipe is how flexible and forgiving it can be.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like pulling a tray of Classic Baked Ziti from the oven, with its bubbling cheese and saucy layers promising pure comfort. Whether you follow the recipe to the letter or make it your own, you’re guaranteed a dish that wins hearts and disappears fast. Give it a try—you may just find your new go-to for any occasion.
Print
Classic Baked Ziti Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Classic Baked Ziti is a hearty and comforting Italian-American pasta dish featuring ziti noodles layered with a rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta mixture, and gooey melted cheese.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven and cook pasta: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook ziti until al dente, then toss with olive oil.
- Prepare meat sauce: Cook ground beef or sausage with onion, add garlic, marinara sauce, tomato sauce, herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer.
- Mix cheese layer: Combine ricotta, egg, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and parsley.
- Layer and bake: Spread meat sauce in baking dish, layer ziti, ricotta mixture, and sauce. Repeat layers, top with cheese. Bake covered, then uncovered until bubbly.
- Rest and serve: Let the ziti rest before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, replace meat with sautéed mushrooms and spinach.
- This dish can be assembled ahead and refrigerated overnight or frozen before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
