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All the Comfort of Lasagna, None of the Fuss

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Baked ziti is a classic comforting casserole. Layers of tender ziti noodles with a zesty Italian sausage sauce and a creamy ricotta cheese layer create a cheesy, cozy dinner everyone will love!

Flavor: Similar to a classic lasagna recipe, but it’s easier to make. It has tons of zesty flavor.
Swaps: Use ground beef or turkey instead of Italian sausage. Substitute ricotta with blended cottage cheese or add spinach to the cheese mixture.
Time-Saving Tip: Prepare the dish ahead, refrigerate, and bake when ready.

Ingredient Tips

Meat: Italian sausage adds great flavor to the sauce. Feel free to replace it with ground beef or ground turkey (be sure to add 2 cloves of garlic and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the meat).
Sauce: The sausage should be browned before adding to the casserole. Add sautéed garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a tiny kick.
Pasta: I use ziti in this recipe; however, penne, rigatoni, or other tube-shaped pasta can be used in place.
Cheese: Ricotta cheese makes the creamy cheese layer in this recipe. Replace it with blending cottage cheese and an egg until smooth. Feel free to add spinach or additional herbs to the cheese mixture.
Topping: I sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top for a browned, bubbly topping. Just before serving, I love to add freshly grated Parmesan cheese and some fresh herbs like parsley or basil.

Switch it Up!

Add ½ cup heavy cream to the simmering tomato sauce for a creamier casserole.
To make this dish vegetarian, use finely minced vegetables like mushrooms, eggplant, or zucchini in place of sausage.

Layers of baked ziti in a casserole dish

Baked ziti in a casserole dish before being cooked in the oven

How to Make Baked Ziti

Brown the sausage and onion in a large sauté pan. Add sauce ingredients (full recipe below) and simmer.
Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water.
Combine the cheese mixture in a small bowl.
Layer sauce, pasta, and cheese in a greased dish, top with mozzarella, and bake.

Baked ziti in a casserole dish garnished with parsley

Holly’s Helpful Hints

Use a large skillet for browning meat so the sauce can simmer in the same pan.
Cook the pasta al dente (firm) as it will continue to cook as it bakes.
To make ahead, prepare baked ziti as directed, cover, and refrigerate up to 48 hours. Let it sit for 30 minutes at room temperature before baking and add 10–15 minutes to the bake time.
This pasta casserole can be divided into two 9-inch baking dishes, and half can be frozen. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake until hot and bubbly.

Our Favorite Cozy Casseroles

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Baked ziti in a white casserole dish with Parmesan cheese and parsley on the side

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Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is made with layers of tender pasta, creamy ricotta cheese, and a rich meat sauce, all baked together until piping hot and golden brown.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

▢ 1 pound Italian sausage
▢ 1 small yellow onion diced
▢ 1 (28 ounce) jar pasta sauce or marinara sauce
▢ 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
▢ ½ cup water
▢ 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
▢ 16 ounces ziti
▢ 15 ounces ricotta cheese
▢ 1 large egg
▢ 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
▢ 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
▢ ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
▢ thinly sliced fresh basil leaves or chopped fresh parsley for garnish, optional

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, brown the sausage and onion, breaking it up with a spoon until the sausage is fairly fine. Drain any fat.
Add the pasta sauce, tomatoes, water, and Italian seasoning. Simmer uncovered for 12 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Meanwhile, boil ziti in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain well.
In a small bowl, mix ricotta, egg, parsley, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
Add 1 cup of sauce to the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Layer half of the ziti, top with all of the ricotta mixture, and half of the sauce.
Add remaining ziti, remaining sauce, and top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

If replacing the sausage with ground beef or turkey, add 2 cloves of garlic and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the meat as it cooks.

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes can be added to the sauce for a little kick if you’d like

To Prepare Ahead of Time: Prepare as directed, storing the 1 cup of cheese for the topping in a separate container. Refrigerate, tightly covered, for up to 48 hours or freeze for up to 4 months. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight.

Remove from the fridge at least 30 minutes before baking. Bake for 25 minutes, add the cheese, and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Casserole, Dinner, Entree, Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine Italian

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

hearty Baked Ziti on a plate with a title

cheesy Baked Ziti in the casserole dish and plated with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
See more posts by Holly