Description
This Easy Baked Ziti with Cheese is a comforting Italian-American classic featuring tender pasta baked with a rich blend of marinara, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. It’s perfect for family dinners and can be tailored to be vegetarian by omitting the meat. The dish is layered and baked to bubbly, golden perfection, delivering creamy, cheesy goodness in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Cook Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. If using, add ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Make Sauce: Stir the marinara sauce into the meat mixture and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to marry the flavors. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Mix Ricotta Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
- Assemble Layers: In the prepared baking dish, spread half of the cooked ziti. Spoon half of the meat sauce over the pasta, then add dollops of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layering with the remaining pasta, sauce, and ricotta mixture. Top with the remaining mozzarella and sprinkle grated Parmesan evenly on top.
- Bake Covered and Uncovered: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the baked ziti rest for 5–10 minutes after baking to set. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- Make this dish vegetarian by skipping the meat and using extra vegetables or a meat substitute.
- You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking to save time on busy days.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
