Red Sauce Baked Ziti 🍅🧀🔥 Classic, Cheesy, and Baked to Bubbling Perfection With Rich Tomato Flavor

This is Italian-American comfort at its finest — ziti pasta tossed in garlicky red sauce, layered with creamy ricotta and gooey mozzarella, then baked until hot, melty, and golden.

It’s hearty, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or just a cozy night in.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

For the pasta

• 1 lb ziti, penne, or rigatoni
• Salted water for boiling

For the red sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp sugar (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning or dried oregano
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
• Handful of fresh basil or parsley (optional)

For the cheese mixture

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• Salt and pepper to taste

For layering and topping

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• Extra Parmesan or fresh herbs for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta
Boil pasta in salted water until just shy of al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than package). Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Make the sauce
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium. Sauté onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Stir in tomato paste and cook until darkened, about 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, seasoning, and simmer for 10–15 minutes. Stir in fresh basil if using.

Step 3: Mix the ricotta layer
In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.

Step 4: Assemble the ziti
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl or the pot you used for pasta, mix cooked ziti with most of the tomato sauce (reserve 1 cup for topping). In a greased baking dish, layer half the pasta mixture, dollop half the ricotta, sprinkle with mozzarella. Repeat with remaining pasta, ricotta, and reserved sauce. Top with remaining mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

Step 5: Bake
Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 10–15 more until bubbly and golden.

Step 6: Serve
Let rest 5–10 minutes. Top with fresh herbs and more cheese if desired. Serve hot.

Flavor Variations

• Add cooked ground beef, sausage, or lentils to the sauce for a meatier bake
• Mix in chopped spinach or sautéed mushrooms with the ricotta
• Swap ricotta for cottage cheese or mascarpone
• Add crushed fennel seeds or chili flakes for a spicier version
• Use fresh mozzarella slices on top for gooey, stringy finish

Pro Tips

• Undercook the pasta slightly — it will finish in the oven
• Tomato paste adds depth — don’t skip it
• Cover with foil for even heating, uncover for that golden top
• Let it rest before cutting — helps everything set
• Leftovers reheat beautifully (or freeze unbaked for later)

Final Thoughts

Red Sauce Baked Ziti is timeless for a reason — saucy, cheesy, and baked to comforting perfection. It’s the kind of dish that makes people ask for seconds, then thirds. Whether solo or with a side of garlic bread, this one always delivers.

Layer it. Bake it. Let the cheese do its thing. 🍅🧀🔥

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