If you are looking for the perfect comfort food dinner, this hearty baked ziti recipe is always a crowd favorite. Loaded with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, tender pasta, and layers of melted mozzarella, this baked ziti is warm, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying.

This easy baked ziti recipe comes together with simple ingredients and is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, potlucks, or feeding a hungry family. The combination of ground beef and Italian sausage gives the sauce incredible flavor, while the ricotta mixture adds the perfect creamy texture in every bite.

Serve this classic baked ziti with garlic bread and a side salad for an easy Italian-inspired dinner everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Baked Ziti

• Easy to make with simple ingredients
• Perfect make-ahead freezer meal
• Loaded with cheesy layers and hearty meat sauce
• Great for feeding a crowd
• Family-friendly comfort food recipe

Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipe

This hearty baked ziti is the ultimate comfort food dinner made with layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese. It is easy to make, perfect for feeding a crowd, and makes delicious leftovers for the next day. Whether you are serving it for a cozy family dinner or bringing it to a gathering, this cheesy baked ziti recipe is always a hit.

Servings 12

Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  

For the Pasta

• 16 oz ziti
• salt for boil

For the Meat Sauce

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound mild Italian sausage
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 24 ounces pasta sauce (I use Rao's)
• 2 tsp italian seasoning
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Ricotta Mixture

• 15 oz ricotta
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup parmeson
• 1/2 cup mozzarella
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Topping

• 1/2 cup parmeson
• 2 cups mozzarella

Instructions

 

Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta for about 9 minutes, until just shy of al dente. Drain the pasta and toss with a small drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.

Make the Meat Sauce

• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease if needed.
• Add the diced onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
• Pour in the pasta sauce and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes.

Make the Ricotta Mixture

• In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and fully combined.

Combine the Pasta and Sauce

• Add the cooked ziti pasta directly into the meat sauce and stir until all of the pasta is evenly coated.

Assemble the Baked Ziti

• Preheat your oven to 375°F.
• Spread half of the pasta and meat sauce mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
• Spoon half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the top. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Add the remaining pasta and meat sauce mixture on top. Spread the remaining ricotta mixture evenly across the dish.
• Finish with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.

Bake

• Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
• Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. This helps everything set and makes it much easier to cut and serve.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Kid Friendly

Tips for the Best Baked Ziti

• Slightly undercook the pasta so it does not become mushy while baking.
• Freshly shred your mozzarella and parmesan for the best melting texture.
• Add fresh basil or parsley on top before serving for extra flavor.
• You can prepare the entire dish ahead of time and refrigerate before baking.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave or bake covered in the oven at 350°F until heated through.

This recipe also freezes beautifully. Assemble the baked ziti, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Final Thoughts

This easy baked ziti recipe is one of those classic comfort meals that never disappoints. Between the rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta filling, and gooey melted cheese, every bite is packed with flavor. Whether you are making it for a weeknight dinner, meal train, or holiday gathering, this hearty baked ziti is guaranteed to become a family favorite.