This easy Shortcut Baked Ziti is made with ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and tomato sauce with no layering required.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

If you love traditional baked ziti but don’t feel like spending a ton of time in the kitchen, this Shortcut Baked Ziti is exactly what you need! It’s loaded with delicious Italian flavors, creamy ricotta cheese, and plenty of gooey mozzarella. What makes this recipe so easy is that there’s no need to layer mozzarella cheese or add individual dollops of ricotta throughout the pasta. Instead, everything gets mixed together in one bowl before going into the baking dish. You get all those delicious baked ziti flavors with a fraction of the effort!

I actually prefer using mezzi rigatoni instead of traditional ziti because I love how the shorter pasta holds onto all that delicious sauce and cheese. Of course, you can use whichever pasta you prefer! This is one of those easy, comforting dinners that the whole family will love, and it’s perfect for busy weeknights, Sunday dinners, or feeding a crowd.

Why You’ll Love It

Super Easy To Make: There’s no complicated layering or adding dollops of ricotta throughout the pasta. Everything gets mixed together in one bowl, making assembly incredibly simple.
Perfect For Busy Weeknights: With minimal prep and simple ingredients, this is an easy dinner you can throw together without spending hours in the kitchen.
Creamy And Cheesy: Ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella create a deliciously creamy, cheesy pasta that’s packed with flavor in every bite.
Family Friendly: This comforting Italian-American classic is something the whole family can enjoy.
Great For Feeding A Crowd: A 9-by-13-inch baking dish makes plenty for family dinners, gatherings, and potlucks.
Perfect For Leftovers: This baked ziti reheats beautifully, making it a great option for meal prepping.

Ingredients

Here is everything you need to make this delicious dish. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.

Mezzi Rigatoni Pasta: I love using this shorter pasta because its ridges and hollow center hold onto all that delicious tomato sauce and melted cheese. Traditional ziti works great, too!
Tomato Sauce: Creates the rich, savory tomato base that brings all the ingredients together. Use your favorite jarred marinara sauce to keep things quick and easy.
Ricotta Cheese: Adds a deliciously rich, creamy texture and a mild flavor that balances out the acidity of the tomato sauce.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: Brings a salty, nutty flavor that adds depth and richness to the cheesy pasta mixture.
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Adds that classic gooey, melted cheese everyone loves in baked ziti. I recommend using low-moisture mozzarella for the best results.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the sauce, cheese, and pasta.
Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and balances out the richness of the cheese.
Garlic Powder: Gives the dish a delicious savory garlic flavor without needing to chop fresh garlic.
Italian Seasoning: A blend of Italian herbs that adds classic Italian-inspired flavor to the sauce.
Dried Oregano: Adds an extra layer of earthy, aromatic flavor that complements the tomato sauce beautifully.
Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and a little fresh flavor to the finished dish.

How To Make It

Here’s how to make this amazing recipe. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and a little extra dried oregano. Stir everything together until well combined. Transfer the cooked and drained pasta to the bowl and gently stir until every piece is evenly coated with the tomato sauce and cheese mixture.

tomato sauce, cheeses and pasta stirred together in a bowl.

Spread a thin layer of reserved tomato sauce along the bottom of a 9 x 13" baking dish. Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle a little additional grated Parmesan cheese over the top, followed by the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.

pasta, sauce and cheese spread out into a sauce lined baking dish and topped with more cheese

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the pasta is hot and bubbly. Let the baked ziti rest for about 5-10 minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley and serving.

pasta topped with cheese and baked in the oven until hot and bubbly

Pro Tips

Cook The Pasta Al Dente: The pasta will continue cooking in the oven, so you don’t want it too soft before baking.
Use A Good-Quality Sauce: Since tomato sauce is one of the main ingredients, choosing one you really enjoy makes a big difference.
Reserve Some Sauce: Be sure to set aside a little tomato sauce to spread along the bottom of the baking dish before mixing the rest with the cheese.
Shred Your Own Mozzarella: Freshly shredded low-moisture mozzarella melts beautifully and creates a smoother, creamier texture.
Don’t Overbake: The pasta is already cooked, so you’re really just heating everything through and melting the cheese.
Let It Rest: Giving the baked ziti a few minutes to cool helps the cheese and sauce settle, making it easier to serve.

Variations

Add Ground Beef: Brown and drain some ground beef before stirring it into the pasta mixture for a heartier dinner.
Use Italian Sausage: Add cooked, crumbled sweet or spicy Italian sausage for extra flavor.
Make It Spicy: Stir in crushed red pepper flakes for a little kick.
Add Vegetables: Mix in cooked spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for some extra vegetables.
Change The Pasta: Traditional ziti, penne, or rigatoni all work wonderfully in this recipe.

What To Serve With It

This Shortcut Baked Ziti is delicious served with garlic bread or Italian bread to soak up all that extra sauce. Pair it with a simple garden salad, Caesar salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying dinner.

Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?

Yes! Assemble the entire dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add an additional 10–15 minutes to the covered baking time if it’s going into the oven cold.

How Can I Prevent It From Drying Out?

Make sure you’re using enough tomato sauce to coat all the pasta generously, and don’t overcook the pasta in the oven. Covering the dish for the first 20 minutes also helps lock in moisture.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. To reheat, place individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, or cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F until hot. If the pasta seems a little dry, add a small spoonful of tomato sauce before reheating to bring back some moisture.

You can also freeze baked ziti in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Other Easy Baked Pasta Recipes

Baked pastas are so easy to throw together and perfect for serving a crowd. I've rounded up all my Best Baked Pasta Recipes so you can find them easily in one place.

ALL MY BESY BAKED PASTA RECIPES