Baked ziti with meat sauce is made with tenser pasta baked in a flavorful meat sauce and blend of cheeses for the ultimate comfort food.
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
This baked ziti with meat sauce is pretty much the perfect comfort food. This recipe is easy, cheesy and it’s so unbelievably delicious. Baked ziti is one of those dishes that really stick to your ribs and keep you full and warm for hours.
This is a great recipe to serve for a casual weekday dinner or a nice holiday meal. I’ve served this may times for parties, holidays or any other big get together that I need a good crowd pleasing recipe for. It’s always such a hit! I know that if you give this recipe a try that you’ll love it, too.
Ingredients
Here is everything you'll need to make this delicious baked ziti. You can find the full recipe along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.
- Ziti
- Meat Sauce
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
- Ricotta Cheese
- Oregano
How To Make It
Heres how to make this incredible comfort food. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
In a large skillet, warm the meat sauce over medium heat and stir in the cooked ziti. Turn the heat off, stir in 1 Cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese and add it to a greased 9 x 13" baking dish. In a medium sized bow, mix the ricotta cheese oregano. Using a spoon, make little pockets in the ziti about 2" apart and place a heaping tablespoon of the ricotta mixture inside the hole and cover it back up with the pasta.
PRO TIP: Be sure to shred the cheese yourself and avoid the pre shredded stuff that comes in a bag. It will melt much better that way.
Sprinkle the top of the ziti with Parmesan cheese and the rest of the mozzarella cheese. Cover, and place it into the center rack of the oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sizes are hot and bubbly. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving and enjoy!
PRO TIP: Spray the tin foil with a little cooking spray before securing it to the top of the baking dish. This will prevent any cheese from sticking.
PRO TIP: Let the baked ziti rest to allow the center to settle and firm up to make serving easier.
What Should I Serve This With?
A nice, big side salad or Homemade Italian Garlic Bread would be all you need to serve with this to make it a full meal.
Do I Have To Use Meat Sauce?
No, you don't have to. Traditional tomato sauce or even alfredo sauce would both work here for this recipe. Either make your own or grab a good quality jarred sauce from your local grocery store.
Storage
Let the ziti cool completely and place it into a food safe, air tight container. It will last in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ziti, cooked to al dente in salted water and drained
- 4 Cups Meat sauce, homemade recipe HERE
- ¾ Cups Ricotta Cheese
- 2 Tbs Oregano
- 1.5 Cups Mozzarella Cheese, hand shredded
- ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese
- 4 Tbs Basil, shredded (option)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- In a large skillet, warm the meat sauce over medium heat and stir in the cooked ziti.
- Turn the heat off, stir in 1 Cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese and add it to a greased 9 x 13" baking dish.
- In a medium sized bow, mix the ricotta cheese oregano. Using a spoon, make little pockets in the ziti about 2" apart and place a heaping tablespoon of the ricotta mixture inside the hole and cover it back up with the pasta.
- Sprinkle the top of the ziti with Parmesan cheese and the rest of the mozzarella cheese.
- Cover, and place it into the center rack of the oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sizes are hot and bubbly. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving and enjoy!
Video
Other Easy Baked Pasta Recipes
If you like super easy to make baked pasta recipes like this one, you have to try this Baked Italian Sunset Pasta, Boursin Baked Ziti With Spinach & Baked Monterey Chicken Spaghetti.
Erin says
Really good