Easy Baked Ziti

There’s something about the smell of bubbling cheese, rich tomato sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta roasting away in the oven that instantly transports me back to cozy family dinners. Easy Baked Ziti is one of those dishes I turn to when I want comfort food with a simple, no-fuss approach. The magic lies in how the layers of tender pasta, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella come together with a homemade marinara to create a luscious, satisfying meal. If you’ve ever struggled with recipes that are too complicated or require a dozen steps, this one is a breath of fresh air—the perfect blend of ease and flavor that doesn’t skimp on the joy.

Easy Baked Ziti: The “Why” & Ingredients

• 1 pound dry ziti pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 pound ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

Why does this recipe work so well? It’s all about balance and layering. Ziti is the star pasta here because its tube shape captures sauce and cheese inside, giving you bursts of flavor in every bite. I like using ricotta instead of heavy cream for this baked ziti because it adds a creamy texture without weighing the dish down, plus it’s a classic pairing with marinara and mozzarella in Italian cooking. Olive oil gives gentle richness and enhances the garlic’s aroma, while the oregano and basil add a subtle earthiness that brings the whole dish together. Parmesan cheese on top adds that slight nuttiness and gives a golden crust as it bakes. Each ingredient has a job to boost flavor, texture, and comfort.

Easy Baked Ziti

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Make dinner stressfree with this Easy Baked Ziti recipe that brings comfort and rich flavors to your table in minutes

• Author: molly
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Dinner
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 pound dry ziti pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 cups marinara sauce

1 pound ricotta cheese

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

Salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until it’s just shy of al dente—about 1-2 minutes less than the package states.

Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add minced garlic, and cook just until fragrant, less than a minute.

In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, grated Parmesan, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir until creamy.

Drain the pasta and immediately toss it in the marinara sauce and garlic oil to coat the noodles.

Layer half the saucy pasta into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Dollop half the cheese mixture over it, spreading gently. Add the remaining pasta, then top with the rest of the cheese spread and remaining mozzarella.

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

Let the baked ziti rest for at least 10 minutes before serving to help it firm up.

Notes

Easy Baked Ziti is a comforting, simple dish featuring layers of tender ziti pasta, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and rich marinara sauce baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for cozy family dinners with no-fuss preparation.

Easy Baked Ziti: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This gets the oven nice and ready to bake your ziti perfectly.
2. Cook the ziti pasta. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until it’s just shy of al dente—about 1-2 minutes less than the package says. You want it firm because it will keep cooking in the sauce and oven.
3. Sauté the garlic. While the pasta cooks, warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then add minced garlic. Cook just until fragrant—less than a minute to avoid burning.
4. Mix the cheeses and herbs. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, grated Parmesan, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir it up until creamy. It might look a little curdled or chunky here—that’s normal, just keep mixing!
5. Combine pasta and sauce. Drain the pasta and immediately toss it in the marinara sauce and garlic oil. This coats the noodles and helps the sauce cling better later.
6. Layer everything into a baking dish. Pour half the saucy pasta into a greased 9×13-inch dish. Dollop half the cheese mixture over it in spoonfuls, spreading gently. Add the remaining pasta, then top with the rest of the cheese spread and the remaining mozzarella.
7. Bake it. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until you see bubbling cheese and those golden brown spots you want on top.
8. Rest before serving. Let the baked ziti settle for at least 10 minutes before digging in. This helps it firm up so when you serve, everything holds together beautifully.

Easy Baked Ziti: Tips for Success

• Don’t overcook the pasta. Remember, it will finish cooking in the oven, so pull it out a bit early to avoid mush.
• Use whole-milk ricotta. It’s creamier and less watery, which keeps your ziti thick and luscious.
• Keep the garlic light. Burnt garlic tastes bitter, so a quick sauté is all you need to enhance flavor without overpowering.
• Cover with foil while baking. This traps moisture and melts the cheese evenly, giving you a tender casserole inside.
• Let it rest. This is key to texture—cutting into ziti right out of the oven makes it fall apart.

Easy Baked Ziti: Storage & Reheating

Leftover baked ziti stores well, which is why I make it in big batches. You can keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When reheating, place a slice or two on a microwave-safe plate and cover loosely with a damp paper towel to keep moisture in. Microwave in 1-minute bursts until heated through. If you want to reheat a larger portion, use the oven at 350°F (175°C), covered with foil to avoid drying—bake for about 20 minutes or until warmed throughout. Adding a splash of water or extra sauce before reheating helps maintain that fresh-baked texture.

Easy Baked Ziti: FAQ

Can I make Easy Baked Ziti ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the entire dish a day before and keep it covered in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, just bake it straight from the fridge. You might need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it starts colder.

Is it okay to use other types of pasta instead of ziti?

Yes, though ziti works best because of its shape. Penne or rigatoni are great alternatives since they also trap sauce well. Avoid very thin pasta like spaghetti, as it won’t bake up with the right texture.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

For a vegetarian version, you’re all set! If you want to make it vegan, swap the ricotta and mozzarella for plant-based cheeses, and use a marinara sauce without animal products. There are ricotta alternatives made from nuts that work beautifully here.

Why is my baked ziti watery?

Wateriness usually comes from a couple of factors—overcooked pasta, watery ricotta, or too much sauce. To avoid this, drain pasta well, use whole-milk ricotta, and measure your sauce carefully. Cooking the sauce down a bit before assembling can also help.

Can I freeze Easy Baked Ziti?

Yes! Freeze the baked and cooled ziti in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, then bake covered at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.

Easy Baked Ziti: Nutritional Information

Estimated per serving (recipe serves 6):

• Calories: 480
• Fat: 18g
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 45g

Nutrition varies based on brands and exact portion sizes. This calculation assumes whole-milk ricotta and standard pasta.

Easy Baked Ziti

Once you get the hang of this Easy Baked Ziti, it feels like second nature—comfort food you can pull together almost without thinking. I love how easy it is to tweak with what I have on hand, and my family always asks for seconds. If you try it, please come back and tell me how it turns out or share your favorite twists in the comments. I’m always here for a cozy, cheesy pasta chat.