Baked Ziti Recipe – Easy & Cheesy Comfort Food
This baked ziti recipe is the ultimate cozy comfort food. Layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and melty cheese come together for a dinner everyone will love. Perfect for busy weeknights or potluck parties, it's simple to prep and packed with classic Italian-American flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti or rigatoni pasta cooked al dente
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese optional
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley or basil for garnish
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Olive oil for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef or sausage. Drain fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a greased baking dish, layer meat sauce, pasta, ricotta, and mozzarella. Repeat layers.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and serve warm.
Notes
For extra richness, stir some cream into the marinara.
Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if preferred.
Use spicy Italian sausage for a kick of heat.
Great make-ahead dish—assemble and refrigerate until ready to bake.