Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This easy Baked Ziti recipe is loaded with flavor and perfect for a busy weeknight meal! It deliciously features tender pasta, a hearty meat sauce, and creamy cheese layers for a make-ahead, freezer-friendly family favorite dish that even the kids will love!
We love a delicious pasta dish in my house – and this easy Baked Ziti recipe is surely a family favorite! It’s especially great for those busy weeknights, it’s easy to make ahead, and I can even pop some in the freezer if I want! While I share some Ingredient Swaps for those who want them, my original recipe is extremely kid-friendly since it’s not too spicy. I shared this recipe originally in 2023, but have updated it with step-by-step instructions, ingredient swaps, and helpful tips!
It’s short on prep time, but huge on flavor – I can’t wait for you to try it!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Ziti
- Hearty and Satisfying – Meaty, cheesy, and delicious, it’s always a hit!
- Quick and Easy – While this bakes in the oven for a bit, prep this in about 15 minutes.
- Customizable – Choice of homemade marinara or store-bought, and choice of ground meat.
- Meal-Prep Fave – Stores and freezes beautifully.
- Crowd-Pleaser – Adults and kids both love this deliciously cheesy dish!
Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this easy, hearty Baked Ziti.
- 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 Swaps
- Meat Options – Swap all ground beef for a mixture of ground beef and ground pork, or substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Pasta Swaps – Substitute penne or rigatoni if no ziti on hand.
- Spice it Up – Mix a small amount of ground sausage with the ground beef. Another option is to lightly sprinkle red pepper flakes on the last marinara layer before adding the cheese topping.
- Make it Vegetarian/Vegan – Swap the meat in the marinara for chopped mushrooms, eggplant, or zucchini. If you need to make it vegan, try a vegan alternative cheese if desired.
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!
Storage Tips
To store. Store leftover baked ziti in the refrigerator, covered tightly with wrap or in an airtight container. Properly stored, baked ziti will last in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
To make ahead. Baked ziti makes a great make-ahead meal. You can prep it ahead of time without baking or bake it. Store it in the refrigerator covered tightly with wrap or in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days.
To freeze. You can freeze unbaked or baked ziti. Unbaked provides the best results.
- Freeze Unbaked – Prepare the ziti recipe in a freezer-safe, oven-safe baking dish without baking. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
- Freeze Baked – To freeze baked ziti, cool the dish completely and then store the pan of baked ziti in a freezer-safe, oven-safe baking dish covered tightly with plastic wrap topped with foil, or in individual freezer-safe, airtight containers for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then heat in the oven when ready to serve.
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.
More Favorite Pasta Recipes To Try
Why this Easy Baked Ziti is a Weeknight Favorite
This Easy Baked Ziti is a busy weeknight dream! You can make a restaurant-quality meal with 15 minutes of prep time and let the oven do the rest. Whether you prepare this each time you enjoy it or if you’re a meal prepping pro, this recipe is a family-favorite that even the little ones will enjoy!
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
- 1 (8-ounce) package provolone cheese, sliced
- 2 cups Ricotta cheese, or Greek yogurt, sour cream, or cottage cheese
- 1 (8-ounce) package 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
-
- Meat Options – Swap all ground beef for a mixture of ground beef and ground pork, or substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken.
-
- Pasta Swaps – Substitute penne or rigatoni if no ziti on hand.
-
- Spice it Up – Mix a small amount of ground sausage with the ground beef. Another option is to lightly sprinkle red pepper flakes on the last marinara layer before adding the cheese topping.
-
- Make it Vegetarian/Vegan – Swap the meat in the marinara for chopped mushrooms, eggplant, or zucchini. To make it vegan, you can try a vegan alternative cheese if desired.
- Unbaked – Prepare your ziti recipe in a freezer-safe, oven-safe baking dish without baking. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as instructed.
- Baked – To freeze baked ziti, cool the dish completely and then store the pan of baked ziti in a freezer-safe, oven-safe baking dish covered tightly with plastic wrap topped with foil, or in individual freezer-safe, airtight containers for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat.
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.