Easy Baked Ziti with Mozzarella – The Ultimate Comfort Food!

Craving a cheesy, saucy, and totally comforting pasta bake? This Easy Baked Ziti with Mozzarella is the answer! It’s loaded with tender pasta, a rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and plenty of gooey melted mozzarella—baked to golden perfection.

This dish is perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or when you just need some serious comfort food. It’s super easy to make, and you can even prep it ahead of time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Simple Ingredients – Pantry staples = easy & delicious!
✔ Super Cheesy & Flavorful – A perfect balance of sauce, cheese, and pasta.
✔ Feeds a Crowd – Perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
✔ Make-Ahead Friendly – Assemble it ahead and bake when ready!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Pasta & Sauce:

• 1 lb ziti pasta (or penne)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional, for a meaty version)
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (or homemade)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)

For the Cheese Layer:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried basil

For Topping:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)

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How to Make Easy Baked Ziti with Mozzarella

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook ziti pasta until 1-2 minutes less than al dente (it will finish cooking in the oven).
3. Drain and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add onions and garlic, sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. If using ground beef or sausage, add it now and cook until browned.
4. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
5. Simmer on low for 5-10 minutes while you prep the cheese mixture.

Step 3: Mix the Cheese Layer

1. In a small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, and dried basil until smooth.

Step 4: Assemble the Baked Ziti

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Spread 1 cup of sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Toss the cooked ziti with the remaining sauce and half of the mozzarella cheese.
4. Layer half of the pasta in the baking dish.
5. Spread the ricotta cheese mixture evenly on top.
6. Add the remaining pasta, then top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Step 5: Bake!

• Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake for 10-15 more minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
• Let rest for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

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Tips for the Best Baked Ziti

✔ Cook pasta slightly underdone – It will soften more in the oven.
✔ Use quality marinara sauce – A good sauce makes all the difference!
✔ Want extra cheesy goodness? – Add an extra ½ cup mozzarella inside the pasta mixture.
✔ Let it rest before serving – This helps the layers set for perfect slices.

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Variations & Add-Ins

Make It Meaty 🍖

• Use ground beef, sausage, or shredded rotisserie chicken.

Make It Vegetarian 🥦

• Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for extra veggies.

Make It Extra Creamy 🧀

• Stir in ½ cup heavy cream into the sauce for a rich, velvety texture.

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How to Store & Reheat

Storing Leftovers

• Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheating

• Oven: Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.
• Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.

Freezing

• Before Baking: Assemble, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F for 50-60 minutes.
• After Baking: Cool completely, slice, and freeze in portions for easy reheating.

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FAQs About Baked Ziti

Q: Can I use a different pasta?
A: Yes! Penne, rigatoni, or rotini work just as well.

Q: What’s the difference between baked ziti and lasagna?
A: Ziti is easier and faster—no layering pasta sheets, just mix and bake!

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! Assemble up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Q: What can I serve with baked ziti?
A: Garlic bread, Caesar salad, or roasted vegetables pair perfectly!

Q: How do I make this extra cheesy?
A: Add extra ricotta or a layer of provolone slices for more gooey cheese goodness.

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Final Thoughts

This Easy Baked Ziti with Mozzarella is the ultimate cheesy, comforting, and crowd-pleasing pasta bake. It’s perfect for busy nights, potlucks, and meal prepping—plus, it’s SO easy to customize!

Try it out and let me know how you like it! What’s your favorite pasta bake? Let’s chat in the comments! 🍝✨

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