Baked Ziti 🍅🧀🔥 Saucy, Cheesy, and Oven-Baked With Layers of Pasta, Ricotta, and Golden Mozzarella

This is pasta meets lasagna without the hassle — saucy ziti tossed with marinara and creamy ricotta, topped with stretchy cheese and baked until bubbling and browned at the edges. It’s low-effort, high-satisfaction comfort that feeds a crowd or leaves leftovers worth fighting for.

Make it meatless, meaty, or loaded with veggies — the formula flexes.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

For the pasta

• 12 oz ziti or penne
• Salted water for boiling

For the sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or 1 tsp sugar

For the cheese layers

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 egg (optional, for structure)
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• Chopped parsley or basil for garnish

Optional add-ins

• ½ lb Italian sausage or ground beef, browned
• Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini
• Extra mozzarella or provolone on top

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the pasta
Cook ziti until just under al dente. Drain and set aside — it will finish in the oven.

Step 2: Make the sauce
In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium. Add garlic and cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, and any optional heat or sugar. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 3: Mix ricotta layer
In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg (if using), a pinch of salt, and half the Parmesan.

Step 4: Assemble
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13 baking dish, layer as follows:

• Half the cooked ziti
• Half the sauce
• Dollops of the ricotta mix
• Sprinkle of mozzarella
  Repeat with remaining ziti, sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella. Top with Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Step 5: Bake
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.

Step 6: Cool and serve
Let rest 5–10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with garlic bread or salad.

Flavor Variations

• Use a vodka sauce or tomato cream for a richer base
• Layer in roasted eggplant or spinach
• Add a swirl of pesto between layers for herbaceous punch
• Swap ricotta for cottage cheese or mascarpone for creaminess
• Try spicy Italian sausage for heat

Pro Tips

• Undercook the pasta slightly — it softens in the oven
• Use whole-milk ricotta and mozzarella for max creaminess
• Let it rest before serving to keep slices neat
• Double and freeze one for later — it reheats beautifully
• Want extra brown on top? Broil the last 2 minutes

Final Thoughts

Baked Ziti is the kind of dish that feels like a hug from the oven — saucy, cheesy, hearty, and always welcome at the table. It’s got lasagna energy with half the effort and all the comfort.

Layer it. Bake it. Dig into the melt. 🍅🧀🔥

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

Explore All Pasta Recipes – A complete noodle lover’s hub — creamy, meaty, veggie-packed, or refreshingly cold, these recipes have it all.

🧄 Classic & Comforting

• 🧄 Classic Pasta Recipes – Tried-and-true dishes like spaghetti, fettuccine, and timeless tomato-based favorites.
• 🍅 Simple Pasta Recipes – Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor — pasta perfection without the fuss.
• ⚡ Easy Pasta Recipes – Weeknight lifesavers that deliver rich flavor fast, with zero culinary stress.
• 🍽️ Pasta Dinner Recipes – Family-friendly pastas that satisfy any night of the week.

🧀 Sauce Styles

• 🥛 Creamy Pasta Recipes – Silky sauces made with cream, cheese, or both — pure comfort in a bowl.
• 🧈 Alfredo Pasta Recipes – Rich and buttery Alfredo sauce takes center stage in these indulgent dishes.
• 🥄 White Sauce Pasta Recipes – Mellow and smooth béchamel-based recipes that pair beautifully with chicken or veggies.
• 🍅 Red Sauce Pasta Recipes – Bright, bold tomato sauces — classic marinara, spicy arrabbiata, and more.
• 🌿 Pesto Pasta Recipes – Herbaceous and vibrant, these green-sauced dishes are perfect for warm-weather meals.

🍗 Protein-Packed Pastas

• 🐓 Chicken Pasta Recipes – Tender chicken meets creamy or tangy sauces — the perfect protein-pasta pairings.
• 🍤 Shrimp Pasta Recipes – Juicy shrimp with garlic butter, wine, or creamy sauces — quick and elegant.
• 🐟 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Scallops, crab, salmon, or mixed shellfish in rich and zesty sauces.
• 🐄 Ground Beef Pasta Recipes – Comforting classics like bolognese, skillet meals, and one-pot beefy favorites.
• 🌭 Sausage Pasta Recipes – Hearty and spiced — from Italian to spicy andouille, sausage elevates every bite.

🥗 Pasta Salads & Light Fare

• 🥗 Pasta Salad Recipes – Great for potlucks, picnics, or meal prep — versatile and crowd-pleasing.
• ❄️ Cold Pasta Salad Recipes – Crisp veggies and chilled noodles tossed with light vinaigrettes or creamy dressings.
• ⏱️ Easy Pasta Salad Recipes – Quick assembly, great texture — ideal for lunches and BBQs.
• 🥬 Healthy Pasta Recipes – Nourishing options made with whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh produce.