Baked pasta recipes don’t get more comforting than this. If your week’s been long, chaotic, or just downright weird, this dish might just save dinner. It’s rich, gooey, and packed with flavor — and I swear, it tastes even better reheated the next day (yes, cold ziti from the fridge counts as self-care). This recipe’s a favorite of mine when I want something hearty but don’t feel like reinventing the wheel. With ingredients you’ve probably got lying around, it pulls together in no time. That makes it a go-to among recipes baked and easy baked dinner recipes. It even competes with my top chicken baked recipes — and I say that as someone who’s usually loyal to poultry. Whether you’re into baked fish recipes or baked dishes full of cheesy carbs like this one, this ziti is the kind of meal that gets requested again and again. Let’s be honest — some nights, you just need a bubbling, cheesy hug from the oven.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Baked Ziti with a Cheesy Twist Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Baked Ziti with a Cheesy Twist
- 4) How to Make Baked Ziti with a Cheesy Twist
- 5) Tips for Making Baked Ziti with a Cheesy Twist
- 6) Making Baked Ziti with a Cheesy Twist Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Baked Ziti
- 8) Try these Main Course recipes next!
- 9) Baked Ziti with a Cheesy Twist
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
- Learn how to make a baked pasta dish that’s full of flavor and easy to prep
- Discover why baked ziti is one of the top baked pasta recipes out there
- Get practical tips to keep your pasta from getting soggy or dry in the oven
- See how a little ricotta goes a long way in boosting creaminess
2) Easy Baked Ziti with a Cheesy Twist Recipe
This is one of those baked pasta recipes I always come back to. It’s simple but reliable. If I’ve got a box of pasta, some jarred sauce, and a bit of cheese, this dish just makes sense. The kind of meal that warms you up, fills you up, and still tastes great the next day.
When we’re looking for easy baked dinner recipes that don’t demand a dozen steps or fancy ingredients, this baked ziti hits that mark. You can throw it together in a casual rhythm. No need to micromanage the stove or measure every detail.
I’ve had versions with too much sauce or not enough cheese. This one lands in that sweet spot where each bite has balance. If baked dishes are part of your weekly rotation, this ziti deserves a spot at your table. Trust me on that.
3) Ingredients for Baked Ziti with a Cheesy Twist
Dry Ziti Pasta: About a pound will do. Use ziti or any tubular pasta that holds sauce well.
Olive Oil: You only need a tablespoon, just enough to get things going with the onion and garlic.
Ground Beef or Italian Sausage: One pound of this brings a rich base to the dish. You can swap it for turkey if you prefer.
Yellow Onion: A small one, diced. Sautéing this gives a sweet, mellow depth to the sauce.
Garlic: Three cloves, minced. It makes everything taste like home.
Marinara Sauce: One big jar, about 28 ounces. Go with your favorite brand or homemade if you’re feeling ambitious.
Dried Basil: A teaspoon of dried basil rounds out the flavor without overpowering it.
Salt and Black Pepper: Season as needed. You know your taste buds better than I do.
Ricotta Cheese: One cup, to keep the pasta moist and add creaminess between layers.
Mozzarella Cheese: One and a half cups shredded. This is your classic melty topper.
Parmesan Cheese: Half a cup grated. Brings saltiness and bite to the mix.
Fresh Parsley or Basil: Optional, but great for color and a fresh finish.
4) How to Make Baked Ziti with a Cheesy Twist
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
Step 2. Cook the pasta until it’s just shy of al dente. Drain it and set it aside while you work on the sauce.
Step 3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Sauté the onion until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute.
Step 4. Add the ground beef or sausage. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, pour in your marinara sauce and basil. Let it simmer a few minutes. Salt and pepper go in here too.
Step 5. In a bowl, toss together the pasta, meat sauce, and ricotta. Mix gently so you don’t break up the pasta.
Step 6. Layer half the pasta mix in your baking dish. Add half the mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat with the rest of the pasta and cheese.
Step 7. Cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Take off the foil and bake 10 more, until bubbly and golden on top.
5) Tips for Making Baked Ziti with a Cheesy Twist
Don’t overcook the pasta. You want it slightly firm since it’ll keep cooking in the oven. If it’s too soft going in, it can turn mushy fast.
Add more cheese if you love cheese. Some days I pile it on. Other days, I pull back a little. It’s baked pasta recipes like this that let you play it by feel.
Don’t forget to season the sauce. If your jarred marinara tastes a bit flat, hit it with garlic powder, red pepper flakes, or a dash of oregano. This is one of those recipes baked dinners depend on for flavor, so don’t be shy.
6) Making Baked Ziti with a Cheesy Twist Ahead of Time
Want to prep this on a Sunday and bake it on Monday? Totally doable. Just cover it tightly with foil and slide it into the fridge overnight.
If you’re bringing it to a friend, I recommend giving baking instructions right on top. That way, they know when to uncover it and when it’s good to go.
This is one of those easy baked dinner recipes that earns a repeat spot in your meal planning. Even better, it freezes like a champ. Just hold off on baking until you’re ready to eat.
7) Storing Leftover Baked Ziti
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge. It’ll keep for about 4 to 5 days. That’s enough time for a few work lunches or late-night snacks.
Reheat it in the microwave or a 350°F oven. Add a splash of water if it seems dry and cover with foil so the top doesn’t crisp too fast.
This is one of those baked fish recipes, I mean pasta, that honestly holds up better than most. Each day, the flavors settle in more and more.
8) Try these Main Course recipes next!
9) Baked Ziti with a Cheesy Twist
Baked Pasta Recipes: Baked Ziti with a Cheesy Twist
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the ziti in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Stir in marinara sauce and dried basil. Season with salt and pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked ziti, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. Mix gently to coat.
- Spoon half the ziti mixture into the prepared dish. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Add the remaining ziti mixture and top with the rest of the cheeses.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Top with chopped fresh parsley or basil, if using.
10) Nutrition
Serving Size: 1/8 of dish | Calories: 482 | Sugar: 5 g | Sodium: 690 mg | Fat: 23 g | Saturated Fat: 10 g | Carbohydrates: 45 g | Fiber: 3 g | Protein: 25 g | Cholesterol: 55 mg
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