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Let’s talk about comfort food that’s guaranteed to make your life easier and keep your crew happy—easy baked ziti! With g_ooey layers of pasta, a rich and flavorful sauce, and perfectly melty cheese,_ this fuss-free dish checks all the boxes for a satisfying meal everyone will love.
What is Baked Ziti?
Baked ziti is a classic Italian-American casserole dish that combines layers of pasta, meat sauce, and cheese baked together to golden, bubbly perfection. Think of it as lasagna’s easier-to-make cousin, using ziti or another tubular pasta instead of lasagna noodles. Traditional baked ziti includes a hearty marinara or meat sauce, ricotta or cream cheese for creaminess, and a generous topping of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
This ziti recipe has been a staple in my kitchen for years because it blends simplicity with amazing flavor. I start with the classic ingredients—tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, ground beef, and plenty of cheese—but takes it up a notch with a splash of heavy cream in the sauce. That small, easy addition gives the dish a creamy richness that sets it apart without complicating the process.
What makes baked ziti even better is how customizable it is. You can swap ground beef for Italian sausage, add veggies like spinach or zucchini for a boost of color and flavor, or take a shortcut with premade Alfredo sauce for a creamy twist. It’s also a meal prep dream—perfect to assemble ahead, freeze, or bake fresh when you’re ready. Whether it’s for a busy weeknight or a casual gathering, baked ziti is always a dish that brings people together around the table.
Nikki’s Recipe Rundown
- Taste: It’s everything you want in a comforting meal—savory marinara, seasoned beef, and a creamy richness that sets it apart. Your crew will ask for seconds!
- Texture: Tender pasta layered with gooey cheese and a perfectly golden, bubbly top.
- Ease: With simple ingredients and no-fuss steps, it’s an easy win for even the busiest nights.
- Pros: This dish shines because it’s versatile, feeds a crowd, and can be prepped ahead or frozen for a stress-free dinner solution.
- Considerations: It’s indulgent, but you can tweak it to fit your family’s preferences with lighter ingredients or veggie add-ins.
- Recipe Repeatability: Absolutely! It’s the kind of recipe you’ll keep coming back to because it’s easy, adaptable, and always delicious.
Easy Baked Ziti Recipe ingredients
- Uncooked Ziti Pasta: Choose your favorite brand or grab what’s on sale—any short, sturdy pasta will do the trick. I always keep pasta stocked in my pantry, so I’m ready to whip up this dish anytime.
- Ground Beef: I prefer lean ground beef for less grease, but feel free to use what you love or have on hand.
- Salt, Pepper & Italian Seasoning: Season as you go! Add salt while cooking the meat to bring out its flavor, and finish with black pepper and Italian seasoning for that classic Italian flair.
- Pasta or Marinara Sauce (2 Jars): A good jarred sauce keeps this recipe quick and easy. With so many high-quality options in the grocery store, you’re sure to find one you love. For an extra saucy dish, doctor up your jarred sauce with extra herbs or garlic, or go all out with homemade sauce.
- Heavy Cream: This is what makes it creamy baked ziti! A splash of heavy cream transforms the sauce into something extra special. Honestly, I could add heavy cream to just about anything—it’s magic.
- Parmesan Cheese and Mozzarella Cheese: Tangy Parmesan and creamy mozzarella are the ultimate cheesy duo! Whole milk mozzarella melts beautifully, so I recommend shredding it yourself or using a brand like Sargento’s whole milk mozzarella for the best results.
How to Make Creamy Baked Ziti
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Cook Ziti Pasta and Ground Beef
Preheat the oven to 375° F.
In a large pot of salted water, boil ziti pasta according to package instructions to al dente and drain. Then, place it back into the pot.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet or pot, cook ground beef over medium-high heat, crumbling with a spatula until browned and cooked through—season with salt and pepper to taste. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate if desired.
Add drained ground beef back to the skillet.
Step 2 | Make Creamy Meat Sauce
Add your favorite pasta or marinara sauce to the ground beef, along with pepper, Italian seasoning, and heavy cream. Stir until combined and warmed through.
Step 3 | Toss Ziti in Meat Sauce (or Marinara)
Add the meat sauce to the drained pasta and stir until the pasta is well coated.
Step 4 | Layer Ziti and Cheese
Add half of the ziti and meat sauce mixture to the bottom of a casserole dish. Then, top with half of the parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.
Then repeat this with the remaining ziti mixture and top it with the remaining cheeses.
Step 5 | Bake and Enjoy
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes covered.
Carefully remove the foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
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Top with fresh basil or fresh parsley for a garnish
It’s as easy as that! The results are creamy, cheesy, and bubbly hot pasta bake! It is topped off with melty mozzarella (YUM)! See how simple this easy-baked ziti recipe is! It makes this perfect for any day of the week!
Easy Baked Ziti Variations
- Non-Creamy Version: Skip the heavy cream for a lighter-baked ziti. It’s still incredibly delicious without the added creaminess.
- No Heavy Cream? No Problem: Mix ricotta cheese, cream cheese, or cottage cheese into the sauce for a creamy texture. You can also layer a ricotta cheese mixture (like in lasagna) for a different spin.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or toss in some jarred pepperoncini peppers with a splash of the juice for a tangy, spicy kick.
- Garlic Lovers Unite: Stir in extra minced fresh garlic to amplify the flavor of your sauce. You can never go wrong with more garlic!
- Meatless Option: Ditch the ground beef for a vegetarian-friendly version. Use marinara sauce and enjoy a satisfying, meat-free dinner.
- Protein Swaps: Replace ground beef with Italian sausage, ground turkey, ground chicken, or even spicy sausage for a new flavor profile.
- Veggie Boost: Add some fresh spinach, bell peppers, or even zucchini for extra veggies. It’s an easy way to sneak in some greens!
Tips for this Baked Ziti Recipe with Ground Beef
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Undercook the pasta slightly so it doesn’t get mushy while baking. This ensures the perfect texture once it’s out of the oven.
- Season As You Go: Add salt to the pasta water, season the ground beef while it cooks, and adjust the sauce to taste for maximum flavor at every step.
- Use High-Quality Sauce: Whether you choose jarred or homemade meat sauce, a flavorful sauce is key. Don’t be afraid to doctor up jarred sauce with garlic, herbs, or a pinch of sugar if needed. If you have a little time for the meat sauce to simmer, you get even more flavor!
- Let the Flavors Meld: If you have time, let the assembled ziti sit for 10 minutes before baking. This helps the flavors soak into the pasta and ensures an evenly baked dish.
- Cheese Matters: Use whole milk mozzarella for the creamiest, most melty topping, and freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor. Pre-shredded cheese can work, but fresh always melts better. If I am using pre-shredded, I love the whole milk mozzarella from Sargento!
- Layer for Perfection: Layering the pasta, sauce, and cheese ensures every bite has a bit of everything—don’t just mix it all together!
- Cover, Then Uncover: Bake the ziti covered with foil for the first part of the baking time to prevent it from drying out, then uncover it to let the cheese get bubbly and golden.
- Let It Rest: Allow the baked ziti to rest for 10 minutes before serving. This helps it set and makes it easier to serve.
- Freeze for Later: Double the recipe and freeze one for a quick meal later. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight and bake when needed!
How to Serve this Baked Ziti Recipe with Meat
This dish is substantial enough to be a meal all on its own. But it goes well with some crusty garlic bread and a side Caesar salad! You could also serve it with green beans, fresh cucumber tomato salad, or even this pear and blue cheese salad by Norine’s Nest.
Baked Ziti made the easy way! Any way you serve it, it’s sure to be gobbled right up!
Storing Creamy Baked Ziti
Make-Ahead:
This dish is great for prepping ahead. Assemble it earlier in the day or even the night before, wrap it well, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
Storage:
Cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Freeze:
Freezing Unbaked Ziti: Assembled Ziti casserole using a freezer-safe container. I prefer to top it with cheese after removing it from the freezer. When assembling, only use half of the cheese in the middle layer.
Cover with freezer-safe wrap and foil for up to 2 months. Remove plastic, cover with foil, and bake until pasta is hot, about 45 to 50 minutes. Remove foil and bake until cheese is lightly browned.
Freezing Baked Ziti: Cool completely, then cover with freezer-safe wrap and foil or transfer to a container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Cover with foil and reheat at 350ºF until hot. Alternatively, cover individual portions with plastic wrap and microwave them on high in 30-second intervals.
Reheat:
To reheat individual servings, place the desired amount on a microwave-safe dish and reheat. Start with 1 minute and stir. Then, add 30-second intervals until heated to your liking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most commonly asked questions about this recipe. If you don’t find the answer, leave a comment below, and I’ll get back to you with an answer.
This baked ziti uses ziti pasta, a tubular-shaped pasta with a smooth surface. But you can easily substitute penne, which is also tubular-shaped but has ridges on the surface instead of being smooth. You could also use other similar-shaped pasta, like large elbow macaroni spiral pasta or even medium-sized shells in this recipe.
Cooking pasta al dente is when you cook it until it just begins to soften. It will still be firm when you bite into it. You do this because the pasta will continue to cook in the sauce while you bake it.
Yes! If you prefer a meatless variety, use your favorite marinara sauce and skip the meat.
More Delicious Dinner Ideas
- Easy Ground Beef and Potato Skillet
- French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
- Creamy Spicy Sausage Spaghetti
- Baked Chicken Spaghetti
- Taco Spaghetti Bake
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Easy Baked Ziti with Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked ziti
- 1 to 1 ¼ pound lean ground beef
- salt to taste
- 48 ounces marinara sauce
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly spray a 9X11 casserole dish with cooking spray.
- In a large saucepan, boil ziti pasta according to package instructions to al dente and drain. Then place ziti back into the pot.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet or pot, cook ground beef over medium-high heat crumbling with a spatula until browned and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate if desired.Add drained ground beef back to the skillet.
- Add the marinara sauce to the ground beef along with pepper, Italian seasoning, and heavy cream. Stir until combined and warmed through.
- Add the meat sauce to the drained pasta and stir until the pasta is well coated.
- Pour half of the ziti and meat sauce mixture into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Then sprinkle with half of the parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.
- Layer with the remaining ziti mixture and sprinkle the top with the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.
- Cover and bake at 375° for 25 minutes.
- Remove the cover and bake an additional 15-20 minutes or until the baked ziti is bubbly and the cheese is golden.
- Garnish with parsley or basil and serve.
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Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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