This easy baked ziti is a comforting Italian-American pasta casserole made with tender ziti pasta, flavorful marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, Italian sausage, and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese.
Everything is layered together and baked until hot, bubbly, and golden around the edges. It’s an easy family dinner that feels special enough for a weekend meal but simple enough for a busy weeknight.
Baked ziti is also a great make-ahead meal. Prepare the casserole earlier in the day, refrigerate it, and bake it when you’re ready for dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Ziti
- Easy family dinner
- Cheesy and comforting
- Simple ingredients
- Great make-ahead meal
- Freezer-friendly
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Delicious leftovers
- Easy to customize
- Great for potlucks and gatherings
- No complicated techniques
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar marinara sauce, about 24 ounces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
For the Cheese Mixture
- 15 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For Layering
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, optional
How to Make Easy Baked Ziti
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray.
2. Cook the Ziti
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the ziti and cook according to the package directions until just shy of al dente.
The pasta will continue cooking in the oven, so avoid overcooking it.
Drain the pasta well.
Toss it with a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking.
3. Brown the Sausage
While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the Italian sausage and cook while breaking it into small pieces.
Continue cooking until browned and fully cooked.
4. Add the Onion and Garlic
Add the diced onion to the skillet.
Cook for about 3–4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
5. Make the Sauce
Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet.
Add Italian seasoning, oregano, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Stir everything together.
Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5–10 minutes.
6. Prepare the Ricotta Mixture
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and chopped parsley.
Mix until evenly combined.
Season with a small amount of black pepper if desired.
7. Combine Some Pasta With Sauce
Add approximately half of the cooked ziti to the skillet with the meat sauce.
Gently toss until the pasta is coated.
Don’t worry if some pasta remains plain.
The layered approach gives the finished casserole plenty of sauce and cheese throughout.
8. Start Layering
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Add approximately half of the sauced pasta.
Spoon dollops of the ricotta mixture over the pasta.
Sprinkle some mozzarella and Parmesan over the top.
9. Add the Second Layer
Add the remaining pasta.
Spread the remaining meat sauce over the top.
Finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
Try to cover most of the surface with cheese while leaving a few areas exposed so the sauce can bubble through.
10. Bake
Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil.
Bake for about 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
For a more browned top, place the casserole under the broiler for 1–2 minutes.
Watch carefully because cheese can brown quickly.
11. Rest Before Serving
Remove the baked ziti from the oven.
Let it rest for about 10–15 minutes before serving.
This gives the layers time to settle and makes the casserole easier to portion.
12. Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle fresh parsley or basil over the top.
Spoon the baked ziti onto plates and serve warm.
What Is Baked Ziti?
Baked ziti is a classic Italian-American pasta casserole made by combining cooked ziti with tomato sauce, cheese, and often ground meat or Italian sausage.
The ingredients are layered or mixed together and baked until the cheese becomes melted and bubbly.
It’s similar to lasagna but usually requires less assembly and no pasta sheets.
Can I Use Penne Instead of Ziti?
Yes.
Penne is an excellent substitute because it has a similar tubular shape.
Rigatoni can also be used for a larger, heartier pasta casserole.
Should I Cook the Pasta Completely?
No.
Cook the pasta until just shy of al dente.
It will continue cooking while the casserole bakes.
Overcooked pasta can become soft and mushy after baking.
Can I Make Baked Ziti Without Meat?
Absolutely.
Simply leave out the Italian sausage and add extra vegetables or another layer of cheese.
Try adding:
- Spinach
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Roasted eggplant
Can I Use Ground Beef?
Yes.
Ground beef works very well in place of Italian sausage.
For extra Italian flavor, add Italian seasoning, garlic, oregano, and a little red pepper.
Can I Use Cottage Cheese Instead of Ricotta?
Yes.
Cottage cheese can replace ricotta if you prefer a lighter texture.
For a smoother filling, blend the cottage cheese briefly before mixing it with the other ingredients.
Easy Baked Ziti Variations
Three-Cheese Baked Ziti
Use ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan for a classic three-cheese combination.
Vegetarian Baked Ziti
Leave out the meat and add spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted vegetables.
Spicy Baked Ziti
Use hot Italian sausage and add extra red pepper flakes.
Chicken Baked Ziti
Replace the sausage with shredded or diced cooked chicken.
Creamy Baked Ziti
Add a little heavy cream to the marinara sauce for a richer, creamier casserole.
Spinach Ricotta Baked Ziti
Add sautéed spinach to the ricotta mixture for extra vegetables.
Pepperoni Baked Ziti
Add sliced pepperoni between the layers for a pizza-inspired version.
Can I Make Baked Ziti Ahead of Time?
Yes.
Assemble the casserole completely, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
When you’re ready to cook it, let the casserole sit at room temperature for a short time while the oven preheats.
Because the casserole starts cold, you may need to add additional baking time.
Can I Freeze Baked Ziti?
Yes.
Baked ziti freezes very well.
You can freeze it before or after baking.
For the best texture, assemble the casserole without baking, wrap it tightly, and freeze.
Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
If freezing after baking, allow the casserole to cool completely first.
How to Store Leftover Baked Ziti
Allow leftovers to cool and transfer them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
How to Reheat Baked Ziti
For individual portions, microwave until heated through.
For a larger portion, cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven.
Adding a spoonful of marinara sauce before reheating can help keep the pasta moist.
What to Serve With Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is hearty on its own, but it pairs especially well with simple sides.
Try serving it with:
- Garlic bread
- Caesar salad
- Italian green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Steamed broccoli
- Garlic knots
- Fresh fruit
- Sautéed spinach
A simple green salad and garlic bread make an easy complete dinner.
How Do I Prevent Baked Ziti From Drying Out?
Use enough marinara sauce to coat the pasta generously.
Don’t overcook the pasta before baking.
Cover the casserole during the first part of baking to prevent the surface from drying out.
Removing the foil toward the end allows the cheese to brown without drying the entire casserole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought marinara sauce?
Yes. A good-quality jarred marinara makes this recipe quick and convenient.
Can I use fresh mozzarella?
Yes. Fresh mozzarella works beautifully, although it contains more moisture than shredded low-moisture mozzarella.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes. Use your favorite gluten-free ziti or penne and verify that the other ingredients are gluten-free.
Can I make this spicy?
Yes. Use hot Italian sausage and add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Why is my baked ziti watery?
Excess moisture can come from the sauce, ricotta, or vegetables. Drain wet ingredients well and avoid adding too much sauce.
Can I make baked ziti in a smaller dish?
Yes. A smaller casserole dish works, but the layers will be deeper and may require slightly longer baking.
Recipe Card
Easy Baked Ziti
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8–10
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 small yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper
- Red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook ziti until just shy of al dente.
- Brown the Italian sausage in a skillet.
- Add onion and cook until softened.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Stir in marinara sauce and seasonings.
- Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- Mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, mozzarella, and parsley.
- Toss half the pasta with the meat sauce.
- Layer sauce, pasta, ricotta mixture, and cheese in the baking dish.
- Add remaining pasta and sauce.
- Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover and bake for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes.
- Rest for 10–15 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
- Serve warm.