Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
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Best easy baked ziti recipe – cheesy, hearty layers of ziti, ground beef marinara, ricotta, provolone & mozzarella. Family favorite, make-ahead, freezer-friendly.
This is the ultimate easy baked ziti recipe – cheesy, hearty, and loaded with flavor! Perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep, this baked ziti with ricotta, mozzarella, and a rich meat sauce is a crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters adore. Made with simple ingredients like ground beef, ziti pasta, and layers of creamy cheese, it’s freezer-friendly and make-ahead ready. Whether you’re searching for the best baked ziti recipe, baked ziti with ground beef, or an easy baked ziti with ricotta no-boil option, this one tops them all. I originally shared this recipe in 2023, but have updated it with step-by-step instructions, ingredient swaps, and helpful tips!
What is Baked Ziti?
Baked ziti is a classic Italian-American pasta casserole similar to lasagna but easier to assemble. It features tube-shaped ziti pasta (or substitutes like penne) baked with marinara sauce, meat, and multiple cheeses for a bubbly, golden top. Unlike lasagna, which uses flat noodles and requires more layering, baked ziti is quicker and just as comforting. It’s often compared to baked pasta dishes but stands out for its simplicity and versatility – great for vegetarian baked ziti or versions with sausage.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
- Quick and Simple: Prep in just 15 minutes, with minimal hands-on time while it bakes.
- Cheesy and Comforting: Layers of ricotta, provolone, mozzarella, and Parmesan create that irresistible pull-apart cheese factor.
- Family-Friendly: Kid-approved with no overpowering spices, but easy to customize for adults.
- Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly: Ideal for meal prep, potlucks, or busy weeks – it reheats like a dream.
- Customizable: Swap meats, go vegetarian, or add veggies for endless variations like baked ziti with sausage or baked ziti without meat.
- Budget-Friendly: Uses pantry staples and feeds 8 people for under $20.
Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
This baked ziti recipe serves 8 and uses everyday ingredients. For the best results, opt for high-quality marinara (homemade or store-bought) and fresh cheeses.
- Pasta – Use ziti pasta per the recipe, but you can use penne or rigatoni if needed.
- Meat – My family prefers ground beef in this recipe. You can also use a blend of ground beef and ground pork, or substitute with ground chicken or ground turkey.
- Onion – Diced onion cooked until tender is a flavorful addition, but omit it if you wish or want to make it more kid-friendly.
- Marinara sauce – I use my homemade marinara sauce, but a good-quality store-bought sauce is also delicious.
- Cheeses – I use four different cheeses in this recipe: provolone, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ricotta Alternatives: Use cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, sour cream, or cream cheese for a tangy swap in this baked ziti with ricotta substitute.
- Meat Options: Ground turkey, chicken, or pork; or skip for vegetarian baked ziti.
- Sauce Tweaks: Add heavy cream for a creamy baked ziti or crushed tomatoes for homemade flair.
How to Make Easy Baked Ziti
My family prefers this baked ziti in its original recipe form, many times without the onions due to some family members with onion sensitivities. I’ve found that this way is our favorite and is extremely kid and all-around family-friendly, but I’ve included ingredient swaps/substitutions for those that want or need them. Enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Assemble the first layer of the ziti.
- Spread the meat sauce over the ziti.
- Add a layer of the cheeses and top with more ziti.
- Top the second layer of ziti and meat sauce with cheeses and bake.
Then you’ll slice, serve, and enjoy!
Meal Prep Tip!
Portion out the Baked Ziti to enjoy for dinner, then once during the week, and then freeze the remaining portions for a freezer-friendly meal to enjoy within two months!
Tips for the Perfect Baked Ziti
- Avoid Soggy Pasta: Undercook the ziti slightly and don’t over-sauce.
- Cheese Layering: Alternate cheeses for even melting – no dry spots!
- Make it Creamier: Stir heavy cream into the sauce for a luxurious twist, like in creamy baked ziti recipes.
- No-Boil Option: For an even easier baked ziti no boil, use oven-ready pasta and add 1/2 cup water to the sauce.
- Spice Level: Add Italian sausage or red pepper flakes for a spicy baked ziti with ground beef and sausage.
- Meal Prep Hack: Assemble up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate before baking.
Variations on Baked Ziti
- Baked Ziti with Sausage: Replace half the beef with Italian sausage for bolder flavor.
- Vegetarian Baked Ziti: Skip the meat and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or eggplant.
- Baked Ziti without Ricotta: Use extra mozzarella or a béchamel sauce for a ricotta-free version.
- Healthy Twist: Use whole wheat pasta, turkey, and low-fat cheeses for a lighter baked ziti recipe.
- Vegan Baked Ziti: Swap cheeses for plant-based alternatives and use lentils or veggies for “meat.”
- White Baked Ziti: Ditch the red sauce for a creamy Alfredo base with herbs.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
- Freeze: Freeze unbaked or baked portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake or reheat at 350°F until warm.
- Reheat: Microwave individual servings or oven-bake covered at 350°F for 20 minutes. Add a splash of sauce if dry.
Make Ahead Notes
Assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can replace the Ricotta cheese in this baked ziti recipe with cottage cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, and even cream cheese.
Properly stored, baked ziti lasts for about two months in the freezer.
Baked ziti uses tube pasta and is less layered, making it quicker; lasagna has flat noodles and more structure.
Yes! Try vegetarian baked ziti with veggies or lentils for protein.
Whole milk or low-moisture shredded mozzarella melts best without excess water.
Use gluten-free pasta and make sure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free to make it so.
Use plenty of sauce, cover during initial baking, and let it rest before serving.
Absolutely – spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms add nutrition and flavor.
More Favorite Pasta Recipes To Try
I’d love to hear how your baked ziti turns out! Leave a comment, rate the recipe, or tag me on Instagram @addapinch with #addapinchrecipes.
Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced (optional)
- 5 1/2 cups marinara sauce, or 2 (23.5-ounce) jars store-bought
- 8 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
- 2 cups Ricotta cheese, or Greek yogurt, sour cream, or cottage cheese
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- fresh basil, (optional)
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat oven to 350º F. Coat the interior of the baking dish with olive oil and set aside.
- Cook the ziti. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package directions until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the meat sauce. Meanwhile, cook the ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Stir in the marinara sauce and reduce the heat to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Assemble. Add 1/2 of the cooked ziti to the prepared baking dish. Spoon 1/2 of the meat sauce over the ziti. Top with provolone and ricotta cheese. Repeat with the remaining ziti and meat sauce and top with the mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake. Place into the oven and bake until the cheese are fully melted and bubbly, about 35 to 40 minutes. Cool about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Ricotta Alternatives: Use cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, sour cream, or cream cheese for a tangy swap in this baked ziti with ricotta substitute.
- Meat Options: Ground turkey, chicken, or pork; or skip for vegetarian baked ziti.
- Sauce Tweaks: Add heavy cream for a creamy baked ziti or crushed tomatoes for homemade flair.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
- Freeze: Freeze unbaked or baked portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake or reheat at 350°F until warm.
- Reheat: Microwave individual servings or oven-bake covered at 350°F for 20 minutes. Add a splash of sauce if dry.
- Make-Ahead: Prepare without baking and store in the refrigerator up to 24 hours in advance. Remove from fridge as the oven preheats. A few more minutes may be needed in the cooking time.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Onion or not, this is great. Thank you!
I love the quick meals, as Harvest is coming soon!🤪🥰
Looks absolutely amazing!
This was good and very easy. Next time I think I will kick it up a notch and use Italian sausage instead of ground beef. Froze half of it for another time. This would easily feed 8.