Baked Ziti

This classic Italian-American comfort food is always a hit.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated December 19, 2023
Elise Bauer

Do you like lasagna, but not the fuss? Make baked ziti instead!

It's a lot like a classic lasagna casserole, but easier to make and without lots of layers or broken noodles.

It makes for a perfect midweek or weekend meal, or a hot dish to bring to a potluck. Make extra and freeze for later.

Oval baking dish filled with a cheesy pasta bake
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What Goes Into Baked Ziti?

This recipe is a pretty basic version, but everyone who makes baked ziti has their own unique tricks and twists to it. Some vary the cheeses, some the meat, some make meatless versions, and some people leave out the tomato sauce for a truly cheese-tastic casserole.

This version uses bulk Italian sausage, as well as a key fresh herb. In summer, that would be basil. In winter, rosemary. You could also easily use savory, sage, thyme, or parsley.

Overhead view of ziti in an oval baking dish and a serving set on a plate next to it.
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Substitutions for Ziti

Ziti is a pretty common pasta shape in most areas, but you can substitute penne pasta if you can't find it. You want a substantial short pasta shape with places to hold the sauce and meat.

Baked ziti on a fork lifted out of a bowl.
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What Is Ziti Pasta?

Ziti is a hollow pasta in the shape of a smooth tube, sort of like a short straw. It originated in Campagna, Italy, or perhaps Sicily, Italy. Its name means bride or bridegroom, although the stories of why the Italians gave this pasta the name for those getting married can vary. In some parts of Italy, it's served at weddings.

Tossing the Cooked Pasta with Oil: Yes or No Way?

Over the years, many of you have questioned whether the step of tossing the cooked ziti with a little olive oil is absolutely necessary out of concern that it might prevent the pasta from absorbing the sauce. The oil really just prevents the pasta from sticking together while you prepare the sauce, and won't get in the way of the pasta soaking up the sauce. However, it's totally okay to leave the oil out, if you prefer. It's a great recipe either way.

Tomato Sauce for Baked Ziti

There's a link to a pasta sauce recipe in the ingredients, but you can also use any jarred sauce—pasta, marinara, even pizza sauce—in this recipe. Just make sure it's a sauce you like.

How to Store, Reheat, and Freeze Ziti

You can assemble this ahead, and either refrigerate or freeze it before you do the final baking. If you freeze it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking. You can also freeze a baked ziti, and reheat it thawed or frozen.

  • Refrigerating and then baking an assembled, unbaked ziti: Cover the assembled ziti with foil and refrigerate up to 24 hours. To bake, remove the foil and bake at 350°F until the top is lightly browned and the cheese is melted. Expect to add at least 15 more minutes baking time than if you had baked it right after assembling.
  • Freezing and then baking an assembled, unbaked ziti: To bake frozen unbaked ziti, it's best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before baking. Remove any plastic wrap. Bake, uncovered, 350°F until lightly browned and bubbly, 60 to 70 minutes. Cover with foil if the top browns before the inside is fully heated.
  • Freezing and reheating a baked ziti: Bake, covered with foil, at 350°F. (Make sure you remove any plastic wrap first.) Reheat thawed or frozen; the time will depend on the pan itself, and how frozen the lasagna is. Expect it to take at least 35 to 45 minutes, but check to see that it hits 165°F in the center.

Beloved Sides for Baked Ziti

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Baked Ziti

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 55 mins
Total Time 75 mins
Servings 6 to 8

If you don't have Italian seasoning in the pantry, use 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ziti or penne pasta

  • Kosher salt

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 pound bulk Italian sausage, ground beef, or ground pork

  • 1 large onion, chopped

  • 3 to 4 cloves garlic, chopped

  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary or basil

  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 4 cups jarred marinara or pasta sauce, or make your own tomato sauce

  • Black pepper, to taste

  • 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

  • 1 cup grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese

  • 1 heaping cup ricotta cheese

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Cook the pasta:

    Heat a large pot of salted water (for every 2 quarts of water, one tablespoon of salt) to a strong boil. Add the pasta and cook at a rolling boil, uncovered, until the pasta is al dente—edible but still a little firm to the bite.

    Drain the pasta through a colander. Toss with a little olive oil so the pasta does not stick together while you make the sauce.

  3. Brown the meat:

    While the water is heating in the previous step, start on the sauce. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan on medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering hot, add the bulk sausage or ground meat. Break up any large chunks of sausage as it cooks. Brown well.

    Don't stir that often or it will be more difficult for the meat to brown. If you are using ground beef or pork instead of sausage, sprinkle with a little salt.

  4. Make the sauce:

    When the meat is mostly browned, add the onions and stir well to combine. Sauté everything until the onions are translucent and beginning to brown, about 4 to 5 minutes.

    Add the garlic, rosemary or basil, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and stir to combine. Cook 1 minute, then add the tomato sauce and stir well. Bring to a simmer.

    Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper, if needed.

    Browned beef for a baked ziti recipe.
    Cambrea Bakes
    Meat sauce in a skillet for a baked ziti recipe.
    Cambrea Bakes
  5. Assemble the casserole:

    Spread a thin layer of the sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole pan, then dot the surface with half the ricotta cheese. Ladle a spoonful of sauce into the pasta, stir it well and then add the pasta into the casserole.

    Pour the rest of the sauce over the pasta, dot the remaining ricotta cheese over the pasta, and sprinkle on top both the mozzarella and the Parmesan cheese.

    Tip

    At this point, you can cool, cover, and refrigerate or freeze to make ahead.

    Oval dish with sauce and cheese inside to make ziti pasta.
    Cambrea Bakes
    Adding sauce to ziti noodles.
    Cambrea Bakes
    Ziti pasta with sauce in an oval baking dish.
    Cambrea Bakes
    Ziti noodles in an oval baking dish and topped with a meat sauce and dollops of cheese.
    Cambrea Bakes
    Shredded cheese topping a pasta bake.
    Cambrea Bakes
  6. Bake:

    Bake uncovered in the oven at 350°F until the top is lightly browned and the cheese melted, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

    Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!

    Baked ziti in an oval baking dish.
    Cambrea Bakes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
557 Calories
32g Fat
36g Carbs
30g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 557
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 32g 41%
Saturated Fat 14g 68%
Cholesterol 78mg 26%
Sodium 1510mg 66%
Total Carbohydrate 36g 13%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 30g
Vitamin C 4mg 21%
Calcium 397mg 31%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 745mg 16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.