The Ultimate No-Fuss Baked Ziti
An easy, comforting baked ziti recipe with meaty (or veggie) sauce, creamy ricotta, and a perfect cheesy top. The ultimate crowd-pleasing pasta bake.
Ingredients
For the Pasta & Base:
- 1 pound ziti pasta {454 grams}
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage optional {454 grams}
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
For the Sauce:
- 1 24 ounce jar marinara sauce {680 grams}
- 1 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes {425 grams}
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Cheese Layers:
- 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese {425 grams}
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella divided {340 grams}
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided {113 grams}
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook Pasta. Boil ziti in salted water 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain, toss with oil, set aside.
- Step 2: Make Sauce. If using, cook meat in skillet; drain. Add onion, cook until soft. Add garlic; cook 30 sec. Add marinara, crushed tomatoes, herbs, and seasonings. Simmer 10-15 min.
- Step 3: Prep Cheese Mix. In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, parsley, 1 cup mozzarella, and 1/2 cup Parmesan.
- Step 4: Assemble. Spread 1 cup sauce in a 9x13 dish. Mix remaining sauce with cooked pasta. Layer: half the pasta, all the ricotta mix, remaining pasta. Top with last cup of sauce, then remaining cheeses.
- Step 5: Bake. Cover with foil. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 min. Uncover, bake 20-25 min until golden and bubbly. Rest 15 min before serving.
Notes
For a meatless version, simply omit the meat. Dish can be assembled and refrigerated a day ahead. Letting it rest before serving is key for clean slices.