Baked Ziti

My Baked ziti is absolutely amazing. This recipe has gone viral on social media time and time again because it’s just that good! It’s made with beef and sausage, plus plenty of cheesy goodness.

I spent a few years perfecting this recipe and finally found the perfect balance of creaminess and cheesiness. What sets it off is the sauce. The sauce has an earthy flavor because of the basil, but it’s also sweet and creamy. The heavy cream takes it to the next level.

I also love to layer my baked ziti so there is plenty of tender meat, layers of pasta and melty mozzarella cheese throughout the dish. It’s a chef’s kiss. Everyone rates this recipe a 10/10!

If you need other quick dinner inspiration ideas, try my famous Creamy Mac & Cheese, my delicious Lemon Salmon Orzo or, my Chicken Pot Pie!

What is Baked Ziti?

Baked ziti is a popular Italian-American pasta dish that is loved by many. It’s a comforting and hearty meal that’s perfect for any occasion. The dish consists of ziti pasta, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese. It’s easy to make and can be customized with your favorite ingredients like sausage, mushrooms, or spinach.

Why Everyone Loves My Baked Ziti Recipe

Try this recipe and you will discover why everyone thinks this is the best baked ziti recipe.

• Creamy and cheesy: The dish is never dry, as the meat and cheese create a delicious saucy texture. Many baked ziti recipes do not have the layering technique that this recipe does which ensures that each bite is creamy, saucy and cheesy.
• Meaty: The combination of Italian sausage and ground beef makes this dish very meaty, which makes for a hearty dinner option and guarantees that every belly is full
• Family friendly: It’s the perfect recipe for gatherings or crowds, as it’s customizable, easy to make, and always a hit at parties. Kids and adults love this recipe!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything you need for this recipe is easy to find at your local grocery store.

NOTE: The full list of ingredients with measurements is provided in the recipe card below.

• Ziti Pasta: Any brand will do! You can substitute with rigatoni or penne pasta, if needed.
• Italian Sausage: The best baked ziti is made with Italian sausage AND ground beef. A mix of sweet and hot is my secret as this allows you to build flavor. Bulk sausage is best as it crumbles easier. You can also use sausage with the casings removed before cooking.
• Ground Beef: I use 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor.
• Bell Peppers: I use a combination of red bell pepper and green bell pepper to add flavor.
• Onion: Yellow onions are best for this recipe, but you can substitute with another type of onion, if desired.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic is always best. This adds plenty of flavor to the dish.
• Crushed Tomatoes: This adds to the texture of the sauce.
• Pasta Sauce: You don’t have to use anything fancy here as we build flavor in other ways. I like to use the grocery brand as it’s most cost effective.
• Heavy Cream: Because why not. Heavy cream makes everything so much better and really enhances the richness and texture of the sauce.
• Ricotta Cheese: I like to use creamy ricotta because it makes it taste traditional.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Freshly shredded is always best. I prefer to buy the blocks and hand shred because its cheaper but pre-shredded will work too.
• Parmesan Cheese: I like to use freshly grated Pecorino Romano, but regular grated Parmesan cheese is fine.
• Sugar: You will need a small amount of sugar to season the sauce. You can omit, if desired.
• Fresh Basil: Fresh herbs add delicious flavor to the sauce.
• Seasonings: You will need Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can add some red pepper flakes if you want to add a kick to the sauce.

How to Make Baked Ziti

This recipe can be easily made by anyone. No complicated steps, just cook the meat and veggies, make the sauce and layer everything together in a baking dish.

1. Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the meat: Cook the sausage and beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Once browned and cooked through, add the peppers and onions. Saute until they are softened.

3. Make the sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, pasta sauce, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, basil, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion, powder, and black pepper. Stir until everything is combine. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, then taste and adjust the salt, if needed.

Next, you’ll boil your pasta, and add ricotta, basil, mozzarella cheese, and spices. Then, add a few spoonfuls of your sauce and mix.

4. Prepare the pasta mixture: In a large bowl, combined the cooked pasta, ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese, basil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
5. Add the sauce: Spoon 3 to 4 large spoons of the meat sauce into the mixture and stir. Make sure to reserve some pasta sauce for layering.

6. Assemble the ziti: Spoon a layer of the meat sauce into the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish. Add half of the ziti mixture to the dish on top of the meat sauce. Spread it out evenly, then add a layer of mozzarella cheese on top.
7. Spoon the remaining meat sauce on top, the the remaining ziti on top of the meat sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
8. Bake: Cover the ziti and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Broil at the end uncovered for a golden cheese top finish but be careful not to burn!

Storage and Make Ahead

The best thing about homemade baked ziti is that it tastes amazing as leftovers too. You can cover and store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days (or store in an airtight container.)

To reheat, cover the dish with foil and reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

To freeze, cover and store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.

This easy baked ziti recipe is great for dinner guests or as an easy weeknight meal. Or take someone who just a baby, is going through a hard time, or just needs a quality meal. It’s easy to make ahead, store and reheat!

FAQs for this recipe

Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?

A: Yes, you can use any pasta you like. Even though its called Baked ziti, you can use, Penne, rigatoni, or fusilli would all work well in this recipe.

Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can assemble the baked ziti ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake it. Just be sure to cover it well with foil or plastic wrap.

Q: Can you freeze baked ziti?

A: Yes, you can freeze any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake in the oven at 375°F until heated through.

Q: Can I make it without ricotta?

A: Yes, you can use any type of cheese you like. Parmesan or pecorino romano would be a great substitute for the ricotta

Q: Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

A: Yes, you can omit the Italian sausage and ground beef and use a plant-based meat substitute instead. You can also add more vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to make it more filling.

If you love this recipe, please leave a review! It means the world to me! Xo Toni