There’s nothing quite like a bubbling pan of baked ziti coming out of the oven—cheesy, savory, and packed with flavor.
This dish is a staple in my home, especially on cozy evenings or when I want to make something that feels like a warm hug.
With a rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta mixture, and layers of melted cheese, this baked ziti is pure satisfaction in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Cheesy & Comforting: It’s everything you want in a baked pasta—ooey, gooey cheese with bold Italian flavors.
Meal Prep Friendly: You can prep it in advance and bake later.
Feeds a Crowd: Great for family dinners, potlucks, or leftovers.
Customizable: Swap the meat, pasta shape, or cheese to suit your preferences.
Kid-Approved: Even picky eaters love it!
What You’ll Need (Ingredient Highlights)
Ziti or Penne Pasta: Both hold sauce well and are ideal for baked dishes.
Italian Sausage or Ground Beef: Adds depth and hearty flavor.
Ricotta Cheese: Gives a creamy, luxurious layer.
Mozzarella & Parmesan: For that perfect cheesy top.
Garlic & Italian Seasoning: Classic flavors that tie it all together.
Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite brand or homemade.
Fresh Basil: Optional, but adds freshness and color.
Pro Tips Before You Start
Cook Pasta Al Dente: Slightly undercooking the pasta keeps it from getting mushy after baking.
Drain the Meat: Remove excess fat after browning sausage for a cleaner flavor.
Layer Well: Even layers of pasta, sauce, and cheese ensure a balanced bite.
Rest Before Serving: Letting it sit for 5 minutes after baking helps it set.
How to Make Cheesy Baked Ziti
Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Boil a large pot of salted water.
Cook the pasta until just al dente, then drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
While pasta cooks, brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart.
Add garlic at the end and cook until fragrant. Drain any excess fat.
In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, ¾ cup mozzarella, ½ cup Parmesan, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
In the large pasta bowl, add the cooked sausage, all but ½ cup of the marinara sauce, and the ricotta mixture.
Toss to combine. Season to taste.
Spread the reserved ½ cup of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
Add half the pasta mixture, then layer with half the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
Repeat.
Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Let rest for 5 minutes, garnish with chopped basil, and serve hot.
What to Serve It With
Garlic bread or breadsticks
A simple green salad with vinaigrette
Roasted broccoli or green beans
Red wine or sparkling water
Variations / Substitutions
Vegetarian: Skip the meat and add mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta.
Cheese Swap: Try provolone or fontina for a flavor twist.
Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce or use spicy sausage.
Storage & Leftovers
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Assemble but don’t bake. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Warm in oven at 350°F or microwave individual portions.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the ziti a day in advance and bake when ready to serve.
Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Yes, it’s a good alternative with a similar texture.
What pasta works best?
Ziti or penne are ideal, but rigatoni or rotini work too.
How do I keep it from drying out?
Make sure there’s enough sauce and cover with foil for most of the bake.
Can I use ground turkey instead of sausage?
Absolutely! It’s leaner but still tasty.
Should I bake it covered or uncovered?
Cover for the first 20 minutes, then uncover to brown the top.
Can I make it without meat?
Definitely! Add extra veggies or more cheese for flavor.
Final Thoughts
This cheesy baked ziti has become a comfort food staple in my home—and for good reason.
It’s easy to throw together, makes enough to feed a crowd, and hits all the right notes of cozy, creamy, and crave-worthy.
Whether you’re feeding your family or prepping a dish to share, this is one recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Cheesy Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil – plus more to drizzle over pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic – minced
- 32 oz marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cups shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Ground black pepper
- Chopped basil optional for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 dish with cooking spray.
- Boil salted water, cook pasta to al dente, drain, and drizzle with olive oil.
- Brown sausage in a skillet, add garlic, cook 1 more minute, then drain fat.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, ¾ cup mozzarella, ½ cup Parmesan, basil, seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Mix pasta with sausage, ricotta mix, and all but ½ cup marinara. Toss.
- See full steps with tips & photos → https://p4pd.org/cheesy-baked-ziti-with-ricotta-and-sausage/
Notes
- For a spicier version, use hot Italian sausage.
- Can be made ahead and refrigerated—just add 5–10 extra minutes to the baking time.
- Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if desired.
- Freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months.
