Best 6 Perfect Easy Baked Ziti Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary journey with our "Perfect Easy Baked Ziti" recipe, an Italian-American classic that combines hearty pasta, a flavorful sauce, and a blanket of melted cheese. This dish is a symphony of textures and flavors, perfect for a comforting family meal or an impressive dinner party.

Dive into a world of culinary delight as we guide you through three variations of this beloved dish. The classic baked ziti features a rich tomato sauce, while the creamy baked ziti tantalizes taste buds with a velvety Alfredo sauce. For those seeking a vegetarian option, the spinach and artichoke baked ziti offers a vibrant twist, bursting with fresh flavors.

Each recipe is meticulously crafted with step-by-step instructions, ensuring success even for novice cooks. We'll take you on a culinary adventure, from boiling the pasta to layering the ingredients and baking the dish to perfection. Along the way, you'll discover tips and tricks for achieving a golden-brown crust and a perfectly melted cheese pull.

With its versatility and crowd-pleasing appeal, baked ziti is a culinary gem that deserves a place in every home cook's repertoire. Whether you prefer the classic tomato sauce, creamy Alfredo, or vibrant spinach and artichoke filling, these recipes will guide you to baked ziti perfection. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on this delicious journey together!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BAKED ZITI



Baked Ziti image

Baked ziti is classic Italian-American comfort food! Bake ziti pasta with sausage, tomato sauce, and all kinds of gooey, yummy cheeses. This easy baked ziti recipe is always a hit!

Provided by Elise Bauer

Categories     Dinner     Budget     Casserole     Comfort Food     Freezer-friendly     Make-ahead     Pantry Meal     Casserole     Cheese     Italian     Italian Sausage     Pasta

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound ziti (can sub penne) pasta
Extra virgin olive oil
1 pound bulk Italian sausage or ground beef or pork
1 large onion, chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (or basil), minced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 large jar of marinara sauce (about 32 ounces) or make your own tomato sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 pound of mozzarella cheese, grated or shredded
1 heaping cup of ricotta cheese
1 cup grated parmesan or pecorino cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Cook the pasta: Heat a large pot of salted water (for every 2 quarts of water, one tablespoon of salt) to a strong boil. Add the pasta and cook at a rolling boil, uncovered, until the pasta is al dente-edible but still a little firm to the bite. Drain the pasta through a colander. Toss with a little olive oil so the pasta does not stick together while you make the sauce.
  • Brown the meat: While the water is heating in the previous step, start on the sauce. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan on medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering hot, add the bulk sausage or ground meat. Break up any large chunks of sausage as it cooks. Brown well. Don't stir that often or it will be more difficult for the meat to brown. If you are using ground beef or pork instead of sausage, sprinkle with a little salt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 557 kcal, Carbohydrate 36 g, Cholesterol 78 mg, Fiber 4 g, Protein 30 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, Sodium 1510 mg, Sugar 9 g, Fat 32 g, ServingSize Serves at least 8, UnsaturatedFat 0 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.

PERFECT EASY BAKED ZITI



Perfect Easy Baked Ziti image

I Got This Recipe From My Daughter Grandmother . She Makes her sauce From Scratch Being Italian She Can Do That . But I Tweeked Her Recipe and Added Some stuff To make One Delicious baked Ziti ...Yummy

Provided by Tiara Joseph

Categories     Beef

Time 2h20m

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 can(s) marinara sauce
1 lb mozzarella cheese ( shredded )
1 1/2 lb ground chuck, cooked
1 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 lb ziti, cooked
1/2 c italian bread crumbs
1 1/2 c ricotta cheese
2 tsp olive oil

Steps:

  • 1. Boil Pasta Follow Instructions On Box ( Set Aside )
  • 2. Cook Up Your Meat And The Drain Access Fat . (Set Aside)
  • 3. Start Sauce By Heating Minced Garlic In Pan W/ 2 teaspoons of olive oil .
  • 4. Pour in Sauce And Add In Italian Seasonings
  • 5. Let Simmer For About 10 mins
  • 6. Heat Oven To 350
  • 7. In A Large Mixing Bowl Combine Meat , Pasta , Ricotta Cheese & 1/2 lb Of Mozzarella Cheese . Mix Well
  • 8. Then add In Half Of Your Sauce Mixture . Mix Well And Pour Into Your Pan .
  • 9. Use The Remainder Of The Mozzarella Cheese To Cover Your Pasta . Add Bread Crumbs For a Great Cheesy Crunch To The Dish
  • 10. Cook For 1hr to 1hr and 45 mins depending on your over or until the cheese has formed a nice caramel brown color to it . Remove from oven let cool . Prepare Your Salads And Or garlic Bread And Enjoy with A Great Glass Of Red Wine ... Or a Nice Cold Glass Of Southern Tea
  • 11. The Set Aside Sauce Is For Those Who Like A Little More Sauce Then Others ... Easy To Add Sauce Hard To Take Away ... Enjoy

5-INGREDIENT EASY BAKED ZITI



5-Ingredient Easy Baked Ziti image

Make and share this 5-Ingredient Easy Baked Ziti recipe from Food.com.

Provided by NancyB

Categories     Cheese

Time 45m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

16 -20 ounces pasta, cooked and drained (ziti, rigatoni or penne)
45 ounces spaghetti sauce
1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
4 cups cheese, shredded (Mozzarella or italian blend)

Steps:

  • Cook pasta and drain.
  • Mix pasta, spaghetti sauce, cooked ground beef, Parmesan cheese and 2 cups of Mozzarella cheese well.
  • Spread mixture in a 9 x13 baking dish.
  • Top with remaining 2 cups of grated Mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese on top has melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 830, Fat 36.4, SaturatedFat 18.5, Cholesterol 109.3, Sodium 1381.9, Carbohydrate 79.2, Fiber 5.4, Sugar 12.3, Protein 44

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

QUICK AND EASY BAKED ZITI



Quick and Easy Baked Ziti image

This is a quick dish I like to make when I need to get dinner on the table in a hurry. If you like a zestier ziti, use a hot Italian sausage. Note: cooking/prep time does not include time for cooking pasta.

Provided by Bayhill

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 55m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb mild Italian sausage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (26 ounce) jar pasta sauce with mushrooms
1 (12 ounce) package ziti pasta or 1 (12 ounce) package penne pasta, cooked and drained according to package directions
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup fresh parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease a 9x13" baking dish; set aside.
  • In a large saucepan, cook sausage, onions, green pepper, and garlic over medium heat until sausage is browned; drain fat.
  • Add pasta sauce and cook until mixture is hot, stirring occasionally. Add pasta to the sauce mixture and mix well. Stir in 1 cup of the Mozzarella cheese, mixing until well combined.
  • Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 1 cup Mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil.
  • Bake at 350ºF for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your baked ziti. Use the best quality pasta, cheese, and sauce that you can find.
  • Cook the pasta al dente: Al dente pasta is slightly undercooked and still has a bit of a bite to it. This will help it to hold its shape and prevent it from becoming mushy in the casserole.
  • Use a flavorful sauce: The sauce is the star of the show in baked ziti, so make sure it's something you love. You can use a store-bought sauce or make your own from scratch.
  • Layer the ingredients carefully: When assembling the casserole, layer the ingredients in a way that will ensure that the pasta is evenly coated with sauce and cheese. You should also make sure that the top layer of cheese is evenly browned.
  • Bake the casserole until it's bubbly and golden brown: The casserole is done baking when it's bubbly around the edges and the top is golden brown. This usually takes about 30 minutes.

Conclusion:

Baked ziti is a delicious and easy-to-make casserole that's perfect for any occasion. With its creamy sauce, tender pasta, and melted cheese, it's sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, give baked ziti a try. You won't be disappointed!

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