Name: Baked Ziti
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 400 g Dried Ziti or Penne Pasta; 700 g Marinara Sauce; 3 Cloves Garlic (Minced); 1 teaspoon Salt; ½ teaspoon Black Pepper; ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes; 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning; 200 g Mozzarella Cheese (Grated); 250 g Ricotta Cheese; 100 g Parmesan Cheese (Grated); 60 ml Heavy Cream

This Baked Ziti is one of my favorite comfort meals, easy to make, full of flavor, and perfect for feeding a crowd. It has everything I love: pasta coated in rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra depth.

Recipe

Baked ziti is my go-to for busy weeknights but also feels special enough for guests. The pasta bakes to perfection, soaking up all the sauce, and the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly layer on top.

This dish is always a hit, whether I'm making it for family, friends, or just to have leftovers for the next day. It's also a great make-ahead meal, just assemble, bake, and enjoy! Simple, satisfying, and absolutely delicious, this Baked Ziti Recipe never disappoints.

Jump to:

⭐Why You'll Love This Baked Ziti
🧾Baked Ziti Ingredients
👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Baked Ziti
🍽 What to Serve with Baked Ziti
💭Tips for Recipe Success
🍝More Pasta Recipes to Try!
🍛More Dinner Recipes!
Recipe
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⭐Why You'll Love This Baked Ziti

Easy to make: No complicated steps, just cook the pasta, mix, layer, and bake.
Creamy and cheesy: The mix of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella makes every bite rich and satisfying.
Great leftovers: It tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or an easy second meal.

🧾Baked Ziti Ingredients

Here's the breakdown of what's in this Baked Ziti recipe:

Ziti or Penne Pasta: I like these because they hold onto the sauce really well. They keep their shape after baking, so every bite is soft but not mushy.
Marinara Sauce: This adds a rich tomato flavor that makes the whole dish come together. It also keeps the pasta from drying out.
Garlic: A must-have! It adds so much flavor and gives the sauce that homemade, cozy taste.
Salt: Simple but important, it brings out all the flavors and makes sure the dish isn't bland.
Black Pepper: I like adding just a little for warmth and depth. It's subtle but makes a difference.
Red Pepper Flakes: This gives a tiny bit of heat, which makes everything more exciting without being too spicy.
Italian Seasoning: A mix of herbs that adds a nice earthy flavor. It makes the whole dish smell amazing.
Mozzarella Cheese: I mix some into the pasta for extra creaminess and put some on top so it melts into a golden, bubbly layer.
Ricotta Cheese: This is what makes the ziti creamy. It has a mild, slightly sweet taste that balances out the tangy sauce.
Parmesan Cheese: I use this cheese for its salty, nutty flavor. It melts into the dish and also helps give the top a little golden crust.
Heavy Cream: This is my trick for keeping the ricotta cheese from drying out. It makes the ricotta and Parmesan cheese smooth and adds a little extra richness.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Baked Ziti

These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.

1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package says for al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, mix marinara sauce, garlic, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian herbs.

3. Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce until well coated.

4. Mix in half of the mozzarella so it melts into the pasta while baking.

5. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan, and heavy cream.

6. Spread half of the pasta in a greased dish, then spoon the ricotta mixture on top.

7. Top with the rest of the pasta, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.

8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Take off the foil and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.

🍽 What to Serve with Baked Ziti

I love serving Baked Ziti with warm garlic bread or crusty ciabatta to scoop up the sauce. A tomato burrata salad or a green salad with a light dressing adds freshness. For dessert, lemon tiramisu or fresh fruit keeps things light. It's the perfect cozy and balanced meal!

💭Tips for Recipe Success

Mix everything in a big bowl first: Tossing the pasta with the sauce and cheese in a bowl before adding it to the baking dish makes sure every bite is coated and flavorful. It's easier than trying to mix it in the baking dish.

Don't skip the foil in the beginning: Covering the ziti for the first part of baking helps everything heat through without drying out. Then, uncover it for the last few minutes to get that golden, cheesy top.

Let it rest before serving: Giving it 5-10 minutes to sit after baking helps everything set, so the cheese doesn't slide off and the layers hold together better.

Storage: Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the fridge, it stays delicious for up to 4 days!

Reheat leftovers in the oven, not the microwave: Warming it up at 180°C (350°F) for about 15 minutes keeps the texture just right, just like it was freshly baked!