Best 7 Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipes

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**Ziti al Forno: A Classic Italian Dish with a Cheesy Twist**

Ziti al Forno is a delectable Italian baked pasta dish that combines the flavors of rich tomato sauce, tender ziti noodles, and an abundance of melted cheese. It's a hearty and comforting dish perfect for a family meal or a special occasion. This article presents a collection of easy-to-follow recipes for Ziti al Forno, each offering unique variations on the classic dish. From a traditional recipe using homemade tomato sauce to a quick and simple weeknight version using store-bought sauce, there's a recipe here to suit every taste and skill level. Additionally, vegetarian and gluten-free adaptations are included for those with dietary restrictions. Indulge in the cheesy goodness of Ziti al Forno and experience the authentic flavors of Italy in your own kitchen.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

EASY CHEESY BAKED ZITI



Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti image

Easy cheesy baked ziti will make everyone think you've been cooking for hours, but it's actually shockingly simple to whip up.

Provided by Meghan Yager

Categories     Pasta

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 6

Cooking oil spray
1 box uncooked ziti (1 pound)
1 pound lean ground beef
1 3/4 cups alfredo sauce
3 cups spaghetti sauce
2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350˚F. Spray a 13-by-9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Cook ziti in boiling water according to package directions.
  • While the ziti is cooking, place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking up any large chunks with a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes.
  • Drain any excess liquid from the skillet. Add spaghetti sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes, until the meat is fully coated and sauce is heated through.
  • Drain ziti in a colander and return to the pot. Stir in alfredo sauce to thoroughly coat the pasta and set aside.
  • Add enough meat sauce to just cover the bottom of the dish, about 1 1/4 cups. Add half of the cooked ziti and spread evenly over the sauce. Add half of the remaining meat sauce and spread evenly. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining ziti in an even layer on top, then top with remaining meat sauce, spreading it to cover the pasta. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, until the top is bubbly and golden brown. Serve with a salad and crusty French bread.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 scoopful, Calories 647 calories, Sugar 7.8 g, Sodium 1066.5 mg, Fat 19.6 g, SaturatedFat 9.3 g, TransFat 0.3 g, Carbohydrate 62.6 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 36.6 g, Cholesterol 93 mg

BAKED ZITI II



Baked Ziti II image

Three cheeses layered with pasta and marinara sauce. This recipe is so easy and so good!

Provided by BUCHKO

Categories     100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes     Pasta by Shape Recipes     Ziti Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 7

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
24 ounces ricotta cheese
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 (32 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse.
  • In a medium bowl, mix ziti, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg and 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and spoon in ziti mixture. Top with remaining spaghetti sauce, followed by Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes; let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 703.2 calories, Carbohydrate 72.6 g, Cholesterol 113 mg, Fat 28.1 g, Fiber 5.4 g, Protein 38.2 g, SaturatedFat 15.1 g, Sodium 1110.5 mg, Sugar 14.1 g

EASY ZITI BAKE



Easy Ziti Bake image

I enjoy making this baked ziti recipe for family and friends. It's easy to prepare, and I like to get creative with the sauce. Sometimes I might add my home-canned tomatoes, mushrooms or vegetables. -Elaine Anderson New Galilee, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 6-8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

12 ounces uncooked ziti or small tube pasta
2 pounds ground beef
1 jar (24 ounces) spaghetti sauce
2 large eggs, beaten
1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
2-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce. , In a large bowl, combine eggs, ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese. Drain pasta; add to cheese mixture and stir until blended., Spoon a third of the meat sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; top with half of the pasta mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining meat sauce., Cover and bake 40 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 630 calories, Fat 30g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 164mg cholesterol, Sodium 878mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 45g protein.

EASY CREAMY BAKED ZITI RECIPE



Easy Creamy Baked Ziti Recipe image

Creamy Baked Ziti is a simple and delicious baked pasta dish that never fails to please. This easy baked ziti recipe is extra creamy and cheesy! Everything bakes together into something so tasty...the comfort food recipe ever!

Provided by Becky Hardin - The Cookie Rookie

Categories     Main Course

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pound uncooked ziti
1 32 ounce jar Marinara sauce
1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
16 ounces shredded mozzarella
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup chopped fresh basil

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375°F and spray an 11x9-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a large saucepan, cook the pasta according to package (al dente/no salt) directions, drain.
  • In the same large saucepan set over medium heat, cook the marinara sauce and cream cheese together until the cheese melts. Stir often.
  • Add the pasta to the marinara/cheese sauce and mix well.
  • Pour half the marinara/cheese/ziti sauce in the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with half the mozzarella and half the Parmesan cheeses.
  • Sprinkle the cheeses with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil.
  • Layer the remaining marinara/cheese/ziti sauce over the cheese and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  • Cover and bake at 375° for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the cover and bake an additional 15-20 minutes or until the baked ziti is bubbly and cheese is golden.
  • Garnish with the remaining chopped basil and serve with toasted baguette.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 531 kcal, Carbohydrate 51 g, Protein 25 g, Fat 25 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, Cholesterol 81 mg, Sodium 1139 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 7 g, ServingSize 1 serving

SIMPLE CHEESY BAKED ZITI



Simple Cheesy Baked Ziti image

When I first saw this recipe I could not believe how easy it was. Of course, I can't leave a recipe alone, and added a few changes to make it more "mine."

Provided by Mirj2338

Categories     Kosher

Time 45m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 lb dried ziti pasta
1 lb ricotta cheese (part skim)
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3 cups spaghetti sauce
1 tablespoon fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried)
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and add the ziti. Cook until tender, about 8 minutes, then drain the pasta.
  • Place the ziti in a large bowl.
  • Mix with the ricotta and half of the mozzarella.
  • Grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Use butter, it tastes better.
  • Mix the oregano and the paprika into the spaghetti sauce.
  • Pour half of the spaghetti sauce on the bottom of the pan.
  • Add the ziti mixture and cover with the remaining sauce.
  • Sprinkle with Parmesan and the remaining mozzarella.
  • Bake uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes, until the casserole bubbles on the edges.

SUPER CHEESY BAKED ZITI



Super Cheesy Baked Ziti image

The best baked ziti recipe for those who like it very cheesy and flavorful!

Provided by Baby Bunny

Time 50m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
6 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 (24 ounce) jar pasta sauce (such as Ragu®)
1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened and cubed
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons dried parsley

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
  • Combine 4 cups mozzarella, pasta sauce, ricotta, cream cheese, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add cooked ziti and mix well to coat. Transfer to a 9x13-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over top, along with parsley. Cover with foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until thoroughly heated and cheese on top is melted, 20 to 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 456.9 calories, Carbohydrate 40.9 g, Cholesterol 69.9 mg, Fat 20.8 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 25.8 g, SaturatedFat 12.3 g, Sodium 797.9 mg, Sugar 7 g

EASY & CHEESY BAKED ZITI



Easy & Cheesy Baked Ziti image

Make and share this Easy & Cheesy Baked Ziti recipe from Food.com.

Provided by iewe7726

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 50m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb ziti pasta (or other short tube pasta)
1 (26 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1 cup chicken broth
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Brown the ground beef in a skillet.
  • Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasonings and drain.
  • Stir in the jar of spaghetti sauce and 1 cup of chicken broth.
  • Allow this to simmer while you cook the noodles.
  • Cook noodles until al dente and then drain.
  • Stir one cup of sauce into the drained noodles.
  • Add 1/2 cup of sauce to the bottom of a 9×13 dish, and then pour in 1/2 of the noodles.
  • Top these noodles with half the cheese. Repeat these steps with the remainder of the ingredients.
  • Bake for twenty minutes covered at 350 degrees.
  • Remove foil and bake another ten minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 731.7, Fat 28.9, SaturatedFat 12.9, Cholesterol 95.6, Sodium 1295.2, Carbohydrate 73.2, Fiber 3, Sugar 13.6, Protein 42

Tips:

  • Use a combination of cheeses for a more flavorful dish. A good blend is mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta.
  • Cook the ziti pasta al dente so that it still has a slight bite to it.
  • Don't be afraid to add your own favorite ingredients to the dish. Some good options include sautéed mushrooms, chopped bell peppers, or cooked sausage.
  • If you don't have a large baking dish, you can divide the mixture between two smaller dishes.
  • Serve the baked ziti with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad.

Conclusion:

Cheesy baked ziti is a classic Italian dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. It's easy to make, and it's always a hit with family and friends. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying dish, give this cheesy baked ziti recipe a try.

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