Get ready to meet your next dinner crush: Baked Ziti! This iconic Italian-American casserole is a bubbling, cheesy masterpiece that brings families together and guarantees second helpings (and probably thirds). With layers of tender pasta, luscious sauce, savory beef, and melty cheese, it’s the kind of comfort food that just makes you feel at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Layered with Love: Every bite has the perfect ratio of saucy pasta, creamy cheese, and hearty meat thanks to thoughtful assembly.
- Crowd-Friendly: This big-batch Baked Ziti feeds a group effortlessly, making it ideal for Sunday dinners, potlucks, or freezing for busy nights.
- Family Comfort: Familiar flavors and gooey cheese are a happy combination that pleases picky eaters and foodies alike.
- Satisfyingly Simple: A handful of pantry staples become something truly cozy with very little fuss—no fancy equipment required!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the things I love most about Baked Ziti is that it calls for humble, everyday ingredients, each playing a starring role in the final dish. These familiar fixings balance flavor, texture, and color beautifully, resulting in a pasta bake that tastes like it simmered all day—even if you throw it together on a weeknight!
- Ziti Pasta: Sturdy, tube-shaped pasta is perfect for holding onto the rich, chunky meat sauce and layers of gooey cheese.
- Lean Ground Beef: Savory and hearty, beef is classic—just be sure to drain off any excess fat.
- Yellow Onion: Adds subtle sweetness and depth, singing in harmony with the meat and tomato sauce.
- Spaghetti Sauce: Store-bought jars keep things simple, but feel free to use your favorite homemade sauce for a personal touch.
- Provolone Cheese: Mild, melty, and a little tangy, provolone gives the middle layer its irresistibly creamy texture.
- Sour Cream: This is the *magic ingredient* that makes the casserole unbelievably rich and smooth!
- Shredded Mozzarella: Melts into beautiful golden strings on top, giving that classic, stretchy finish everyone loves.
- Grated Parmesan: A sprinkle at the end adds salty, nutty flair and a little crusty texture as it bakes.
Variations
Baked Ziti is like a delicious blank canvas—easy to customize to fit your pantry, your cravings, or any dietary needs. Don’t hesitate to make it your own with creative swaps and add-ins!
- Vegetarian Ziti: Swap out the ground beef for sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or roasted veggies for a hearty meatless version.
- Spicy Italian Sausage: Replace the beef (or half of it) with crumbled sausage for a kick of peppery flavor and extra richness.
- Low-Fat Ziti: Use light sour cream and reduced-fat cheeses for comfort food with a lighter touch.
- Gluten-Free Option: Sub your favorite gluten-free pasta to keep all the comfort but none of the gluten.
- Add-Ins: Stir in a handful of fresh spinach, diced bell peppers, or chopped olives for color and personality.
How to Make Baked Ziti
Step 1: Boil the Pasta
Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook your ziti until perfectly al dente—just tender but still with a little bite. Remember, the pasta will bake more in the oven, so don’t overcook it! Drain and set aside while you get on with the saucy action.
Step 2: Cook the Beef and Onion
In your biggest skillet, sauté the chopped onion and ground beef together over medium heat, breaking up the meat and letting it brown. When the onions are soft and your kitchen smells wonderfully savory, stir in the spaghetti sauce and let everything simmer together for about 15 minutes.
Step 3: Layer the Casserole
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole. Begin with a layer of half of the pasta, then top with all the provolone slices for a cheesy layer, and dollop on all the sour cream. Spoon over half the meat sauce, add the remaining ziti, then sprinkle on the shredded mozzarella, follow with the rest of the meat sauce, and finally the Parmesan.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Slide your assembled Baked Ziti into the oven and let it bake, uncovered, for about 30 minutes. You’re looking for molten cheese, bubbling edges, and a tinge of golden brown that says, “Eat me right now!” Let it rest a few minutes before serving so you can scoop up perfect, cheesy layers.
Pro Tips for Making Baked Ziti
- Pasta Timing: Undercook your ziti by a minute or two—al dente is key, since it will soften more while baking with all those delicious juices.
- Sauce Simmer: Give that sauce at least 15 minutes to merge with the sautéed onions and beef—this deepens the flavor and prevents a watery casserole.
- Layer Like a Pro: Resist the urge to stir! Layering keeps the cheeses, sour cream, pasta, and sauce in distinct, oozy strata for the best textural contrast.
- Resting Time: After baking, let the ziti rest 10 minutes before serving. This makes for neater slices and fewer molten cheese burns at the table!
How to Serve Baked Ziti
Garnishes
Fresh basil or Italian parsley scattered over the top just before serving brings a burst of color and garden-fresh flavor to your Baked Ziti. A light drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil or a pinch of red pepper flakes makes each plate pop even more.
Side Dishes
I love serving Baked Ziti alongside a crisp green salad—think arugula with lemon vinaigrette—or a simple Caesar. And of course, you can’t go wrong with warm garlic bread for scooping up every last bit of saucy, cheesy goodness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try portioning Baked Ziti into individual ramekins for dinner parties—it looks as charming as it tastes. For a fun family night, offer a “build-your-own” topping bar with shredded cheese, chopped herbs, and spicy oils so everyone can personalize their plate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Baked Ziti keeps happily covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store it in an airtight container or simply wrap the casserole dish tightly in foil for easy access to a ready-to-reheat meal.
Freezing
If you want to freeze your ziti, assemble it completely (but don’t bake), wrap well, and freeze for up to 2 months. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed for comforting, “fresh” Baked Ziti whenever you want.
Reheating
Reheat individual portions in the microwave with a splash of water or sauce, or warm larger amounts, covered with foil, in a 350°F oven until bubbling. A fresh sprinkle of Parmesan or mozzarella before reheating revives that melty-cheese magic!
FAQs
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Can I prepare Baked Ziti ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole a day in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. When you’re ready, bake as directed—just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.
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What’s the best way to prevent soggy Baked Ziti?
The secret is starting with pasta that’s slightly undercooked (al dente) and letting your meat sauce simmer until thick. This ensures your final ziti has structure and doesn’t turn mushy.
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Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! Penne, rigatoni, or even rotini are all terrific swaps if ziti isn’t handy—the key is to use a tubular shape that grabs onto the sauce and cheese.
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Is there a way to make Baked Ziti more vegetable-forward?
You bet! Stir in spinach, zucchini, roasted eggplant, or mushrooms with the sauce for a fresh, hearty twist that still keeps all the comfort you crave.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a reliably crowd-pleasing dish or just want dinner with all the cozy, melty vibes, give this Baked Ziti a try. It’s the kind of meal that makes memories, and you’ll be dreaming about those cheesy layers long after the last forkful. Happy cooking!
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Baked Ziti Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr
- Yield: 1 9×13-inch casserole 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This classic Baked Ziti recipe is a comforting and hearty dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. Layers of ziti pasta, savory meat sauce, creamy cheeses, and tangy sour cream come together to create a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 1 pound dry ziti pasta
Meat Sauce:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
Cheese Layers:
- 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
- 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook Pasta: Boil ziti pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Brown ground beef and onion in a skillet, then stir in spaghetti sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Layer Ingredients: Spread half of the cooked ziti in the baking dish. Layer with Provolone cheese, sour cream, half of the meat sauce, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese, and remaining meat sauce. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes until heated through and cheeses have melted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 578
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 914mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 71mg
