Easy Baked Ziti (Cheesy Meat Sauce Pasta Bake)

Easy baked ziti is the ultimate cozy family dinner: tender pasta tubes tossed in a hearty meat sauce, layered with creamy ricotta, and covered in bubbly, golden mozzarella. It is like lasagna without the layering, and it feeds a crowd with very little fuss.

This easy baked ziti recipe starts with a simple skillet meat sauce made from ground beef, Italian sausage, garlic, and crushed tomatoes. You cook the pasta slightly under, stir it with the sauce, dollop on a creamy ricotta mixture, and bake until the cheese melts and the edges crisp.

It is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, new-neighbor meals, and cold-weather Sunday dinners. It also assembles ahead of time and reheats beautifully, so you can have a hot, comforting casserole on the table with minimal effort on the day you serve it.

Recipe at a Glance

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Category: Dinner / Pasta

Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Ziti

• Hearty, saucy, and loaded with cheese
• Simpler than lasagna with no layering
• Great for feeding a crowd
• Make-ahead and freezer friendly
• Kid-friendly comfort food

Ingredients You’ll Need for Easy Baked Ziti

• 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for the pasta water
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• Chopped fresh basil or parsley, for serving

How to Make Easy Baked Ziti

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Boil the ziti in well-salted water for 2 minutes less than the package directions, then drain.
3. Brown the ground beef and sausage with the onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking up the meat, then drain the excess fat.
4. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, marinara, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Mix the ricotta, egg, half the Parmesan, and a pinch of salt in a bowl.
7. Stir the drained pasta into the meat sauce and spread half of it in the baking dish.
8. Dollop the ricotta mixture over the pasta, sprinkle on 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, then top with the remaining pasta and cheeses.
9. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake 10 to 15 minutes more until bubbly and golden.
10. Rest for 10 minutes, sprinkle with basil, and serve.

Tips for the Best Easy Baked Ziti

• Undercook the pasta. It finishes cooking in the oven and soaks up sauce, so fully cooked pasta turns mushy.
• Use whole milk ricotta for the creamiest texture. Part-skim can turn grainy.
• Add the egg to the ricotta. It helps the cheese layer set so it holds together when sliced.
• Keep the sauce a little loose. The pasta absorbs liquid as it bakes, so a saucy mix prevents dryness.
• Rest the baked ziti for 10 minutes before serving so it sets and the servings come out neatly.

Variations to Try

• Make it vegetarian with sautéed mushrooms and spinach
• Use only Italian sausage for a spicier version
• Add a splash of heavy cream to the sauce
• Top with crushed garlic breadcrumbs for crunch
• Swap penne, rigatoni, or rotini for the ziti

How to Store It

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat portions in the microwave or in a covered dish at 350°F for 20 minutes.

To make ahead, assemble the unbaked ziti, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, adding 10 minutes to the baking time. It also freezes for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ziti and baked ziti?

Ziti is the tube-shaped pasta. Baked ziti is the casserole made by tossing it in tomato sauce, adding cheese, and baking until bubbly.

Can I use penne instead of ziti?

Yes. Penne, rigatoni, and mostaccioli all work the same way in baked ziti.

Can I freeze baked ziti?

Yes. Assemble the dish, wrap it tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake until hot.

How do I keep baked ziti from drying out?

Use plenty of sauce, undercook the pasta, and cover the dish with foil for the first part of the bake.

Easy Baked Ziti

Cheesy baked ziti with a hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 8 Servings

Calories: 560

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ziti or penne
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound Italian sausage
• 1 yellow onion diced
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 1 can 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 1 jar 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 15 ounces whole milk ricotta
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan divided
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella divided
• Fresh basil for serving

Equipment

• 9x13-inch baking dish
• Large skillet
• Large pot

Method

 

1. Boil the ziti 2 minutes short of the package time and drain.
2. Brown the beef, sausage, and onion, add the garlic, and simmer with the tomatoes, marinara, and seasoning for 10 minutes.
3. Mix the ricotta, egg, and half the Parmesan.
4. Layer the sauced pasta with ricotta and mozzarella in a baking dish.
5. Tip: Keep the sauce slightly loose.
6. Bake covered at 375°F for 20 minutes, then uncovered 10 to 15 minutes until golden.
7. Rest 10 minutes and top with basil.

Notes

Assemble up to 24 hours ahead and add 10 minutes to the bake time.
Whole milk ricotta gives the creamiest layer.