Go Back
A close-up of cheesy baked ziti casserole fresh out of the oven, showing bubbling melted mozzarella and rich meat sauce.

The Ultimate Cozy Baked Ziti

A warm, comforting, and incredibly cheesy baked ziti recipe made with whole-milk ricotta, rich meat sauce, and melted mozzarella. Perfect for busy weeknights or Sunday family dinners!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta & Meat Sauce
  • 1 lb Ziti or Penne pasta
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 lb Ground beef or mild/hot Italian sausage
  • 1 small Yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 jar 24–26 oz Marinara sauce (or favorite homemade sauce)
  • 1/2 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Dried basil
  • To taste Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
For the Creamy Cheese Layer & Topping
  • 1 cup Whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 1/2 cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese divided
  • For garnish Fresh parsley or basil chopped (optional)

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the ziti until it is just al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than the package instructions). Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess grease.
  3. Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet, cooking for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low for 5–7 minutes.
  4. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  5. In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta, 1/2 cup of mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of Parmesan until smooth.
  6. Spread 1/3 of the meat sauce in the baking dish. Layer half the pasta, half the ricotta mixture, and another 1/3 of the sauce. Repeat with the remaining pasta, ricotta, and sauce.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top. Cover tightly with sprayed foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  8. Remove the foil and bake for 10–15 minutes more until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

 
  • Make-Ahead: You can assemble the dish, cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.