Classic Baked Ziti

If you're in the mood for a warm, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing dish, baked ziti is about as classic as it gets. This hearty Italian-American casserole layers tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and plenty of melted cheese in every bite making it an ideal comfort food for any season. Whether you're feeding a family or planning ahead for leftovers, this easy baked ziti recipe is a go-to worth adding to your rotation.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 large onion, diced

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 pound Italian sausage

• Two 14.5-ounce cans tomato sauce or marinara

• One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes (with juice)

• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1 pound ziti pasta

• 1 1/2 pounds mozzarella cheese, grated

• One 15-ounce tub whole-milk ricotta cheese

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish

• 2 eggs

Directions

1. Make the meat sauce

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and diced onion, sautéing until softened (about 3–4 minutes). Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, then drain excess fat, leaving just a little for moisture.

Stir in the tomato sauce, whole tomatoes (crushed by hand or spoon), Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 25–30 minutes. Once done, remove 3 to 4 cups of the sauce and set it aside to cool.

2. Cook the pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook until just shy of al dente (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process.

3. Prepare the cheese mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of grated mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, eggs, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir gently just until loosely combined—don’t overmix.

4. Assemble the dish

Add the cooled pasta to the cheese mixture and lightly toss. Pour in the reserved meat sauce and toss again. The mixture should be rustic and not fully uniform.

In a 9x13-inch casserole dish, add half of the pasta mixture. Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce on top, then sprinkle with half the remaining mozzarella. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, sauce, and cheese.

5. Bake and serve

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes, or until bubbling and golden on top. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.

A few tips for success

• Use whole-milk ricotta and mozzarella for extra creaminess.

• Undercook the pasta slightly so it doesn’t get mushy in the oven.

• Add a layer of sautéed vegetables (like spinach or zucchini) if you’d like to sneak in more veggies.

With plenty of flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, this baked ziti is a classic for good reason and leftovers are just as good the next day.

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