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Baked ziti on a white plate with a bite on a fork.
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4.84 from 6 votes

Easy Baked Ziti Recipe

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 recipe that even the kids will love!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Author: Robyn Stone

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

Ingredient Swaps
Note - My recipe, as written, is very kid-friendly and a family-favorite as it is not spicy, but here are some possible substitutions for those who want them. 
    • 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.
Storage Tips
To store. Store leftover baked ziti in the refrigerator, covered tightly with a 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.
  • 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

Calories: 521kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 944mg | Potassium: 868mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1032IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 216mg | Iron: 4mg

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