If you’re ready for the ultimate comfort food experience, you are in for a serious treat with this Best Ever Baked Ziti. Imagine tender pasta wrapped in a rich, robust meat sauce, tucked between creamy ricotta and molten layers of gooey mozzarella, all topped with golden Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. This classic Italian-American casserole gleams on any dinner table—whether you’re serving the whole family on a busy weeknight or treating friends to a cozy weekend meal. Cheesy, saucy, and irresistibly satisfying, this Best Ever Baked Ziti is guaranteed to become your new go-to for heartwarming, crowd-pleasing goodness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Despite the big flavors in this dish, the ingredient list for Best Ever Baked Ziti is totally manageable—and each component plays a vital role. You’ll find every bite is packed with homey, cheesy, and savory notes, thanks to a few well-chosen pantry staples and just the right cheesy lifts.
- Ziti pasta: Its tubular shape is perfect for holding onto all that comforting sauce and cheese.
- Olive oil: A dash for sautéing adds a gentle, fruity undertone to the base of the sauce.
- Italian sausage (mild or spicy): This brings depth, flavor, and a little kick—feel free to pick your heat level.
- Onion: Gives the sauce a sweet-savory backbone and a lovely aroma.
- Garlic: Essential for an authentic Italian flavor punch.
- Marinara sauce: The classic, tomato-rich foundation for your baked ziti’s saucy goodness.
- Tomato sauce: Adds extra body and richness to the meat sauce.
- Italian seasoning: This blend brings together classic herbs for a balanced, instantly familiar taste.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors as they meld.
- Black pepper: For a gentle dash of warmth and depth.
- Water: Thins the sauce ever so slightly, letting it soak perfectly into the pasta.
- Ricotta cheese: Pillowy soft and creamy, this creates those dreamy pockets inside the casserole.
- Egg: Acts as a binder so your ricotta stays rich and luscious between layers.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melty, stretchy, and perfectly browned on top—double the cheese, double the joy.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: A savory-salty topper that crisps up beautifully in the oven.
- Chopped parsley: For a fresh, pop-of-color finish that ties it all together.
How to Make Best Ever Baked Ziti
Step 1: Prepare the Pasta
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook your ziti pasta until barely al dente—about 8 minutes. You want the noodles to have a little bite left since they’ll finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside; this little trick keeps your Best Ever Baked Ziti from turning mushy.
Step 2: Build the Savory Sauce
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the Italian sausage (make sure to remove those casings first!), breaking it up with your spoon as it cooks. Sauté until browned—a few crispy bits are a good thing! Stir in the diced onion and cook till it’s soft and fragrant, then add the garlic, letting it sizzle for just a minute so it doesn’t burn. Pour in the marinara and tomato sauces, sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and splash in the water. Give everything a big, hearty stir and let it simmer for 10 minutes. The aroma will have everyone sneaking into the kitchen.
Step 3: Mix the Creamy Ricotta Blend
In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and half of your shredded mozzarella (about one cup). Mix it up until smooth—this creamy mixture is the secret pocket of luscious cheese in every slice of your Best Ever Baked Ziti.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Now for the fun part: add the cooked pasta to your simmering meat sauce and stir gently to coat every noodle in that rich, saucy goodness. Grab a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and layer in half the pasta-sauce mixture. Dollop it generously with half the ricotta mixture, spreading it out with the back of a spoon. Repeat the layers one more time, finishing with the rest of your pasta and creamy ricotta.
Step 5: Top, Bake, and Rest
Scatter the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan evenly across the top. Cover the dish with foil—don’t forget this so your Best Ever Baked Ziti stays moist inside—then bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes until everything is bubbling and gloriously golden brown. Let it rest for 10 minutes after taking out of the oven so the slices hold together beautifully. Finish with fresh parsley for that bright, herby touch.
How to Serve Best Ever Baked Ziti
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley wakes up the whole dish, giving a pop of color and herbal fragrance. If you really want to go all out, add a few extra gratings of Parmesan, a drizzle of good olive oil, or even a bit of fresh basil for that irresistible finishing flourish.
Side Dishes
Best Ever Baked Ziti is hearty enough to shine on its own, but it’s heavenly alongside a crisp green salad with Italian dressing or some classic garlic bread. For a cozy dinner party, try serving it with roasted broccoli or a colorful antipasto platter—simple sides that balance out the richness and bring out all the best Italian flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, portion your ziti into ramekins for adorable individual servings—perfect for dinner guests. If you’re feeding a crowd, let everyone scoop their own from the bubbling casserole dish. Try topping each serving with a small tuft of arugula or a few cherry tomatoes on the side for an unexpected, gourmet twist. However you present it, this Best Ever Baked Ziti always looks as inviting as it tastes!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep beautifully! Once your baked ziti is completely cooled, cover the dish tightly with foil or transfer to airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to four days. Each slice holds up well and is perfect for next-day lunches or a quick, cozy dinner.
Freezing
One of the best things about Best Ever Baked Ziti is how well it freezes. You can assemble the entire dish up to the point of baking, wrap it tightly in foil, and freeze for up to three months. Alternatively, freeze individual servings for a super-easy meal prep. When ready to enjoy, bake straight from frozen—just add an extra 20-30 minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To reheat, place slices in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly. For a speedier option, microwave individual servings on medium power in short bursts, but oven reheating helps keep the cheese gooey and prevents drying out.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! While ziti is classic, penne or rigatoni work just as well—the key is choosing a tube-shaped pasta that holds onto sauce and cheese. Pick your favorite and bake away!
How do I make Best Ever Baked Ziti vegetarian?
Simply skip the sausage and instead toss in sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for extra heartiness and flavor. Even meat lovers will adore this veggie version!
Can I assemble Best Ever Baked Ziti ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble everything up to the point of baking, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, allow it to sit on the counter while your oven preheats, then bake as directed (adding a few extra minutes if it’s chilly).
What’s the best way to avoid watery baked ziti?
Be sure to cook your pasta just until al dente and let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows everything to set up and prevents a runny casserole.
Is there a way to make Best Ever Baked Ziti gluten-free?
Definitely! Substitute your favorite gluten-free ziti or penne for the pasta and double-check that your sauces and sausage are gluten-free. Your dinner guests will never suspect the difference!
Final Thoughts
Ready for kitchen hero status? Gather your ingredients and dive into making this Best Ever Baked Ziti—it’s everything you crave in a cheesy, hearty pasta bake, and it always gets rave reviews. Whether it’s your first try or your fiftieth, you’ll love how this recipe turns out every single time. Enjoy every gooey, saucy forkful!
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Best Ever Baked Ziti Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Best Ever Baked Ziti recipe. Layers of ziti pasta, flavorful sausage, creamy ricotta, and gooey cheese, all baked to perfection for a satisfying meal that will please the whole family.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup water
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish:
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook pasta: Cook ziti pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Sauté sausage: Brown sausage in olive oil, add onion, garlic, then sauces and seasonings. Simmer.
- Mix cheeses: Combine ricotta, egg, and mozzarella.
- Layer: Layer pasta, ricotta mixture in a baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake: Cover and bake, then uncover to brown the cheese.
- Rest and serve: Let it rest before serving. Garnish with parsley.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef or turkey for the sausage.
- Make it ahead and refrigerate before baking for an easy weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of dish
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
