Better Baked Ziti
- SERVES
- 6
- COOK TIME
- 45 Min
What makes this a Better Baked Ziti than your everyday easy pasta recipe? We think it has something to do with the three different cheeses that make this baked ziti recipe so ooey-gooey good, but we'll let you decide. One thing is for sure, this easy baked ziti recipe is going to be a hit come dinnertime!
What You'll Need
- 1 pound ziti
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 3 cups (12 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 (28-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
What to Do
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish or 3-quart casserole with cooking spray.
-
In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook ziti until just barely tender; drain and place in a large bowl.
-
Add ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, garlic, salt, and parsley to the ziti; mix well. Spread half the spaghetti sauce over bottom of prepared baking dish. Spoon ziti mixture into baking dish; cover with remaining spaghetti sauce, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake 25 minutes, then top with remaining mozzarella cheese and bake 10 additional minutes, or until heated through.
Notes
- Use your favorite type of flavored spaghetti sauce to add additional flavor to this ziti. And don't worry if you don't have ziti on hand -- just substitute any other equal-sized pasta shape.
- You can make baked ziti just about anywhere with our recipes for Skillet Ziti and Slow Cooker Baked Ziti.
- Add our cool and crunchy Chop Chop Salad, and your meal is complete!
- Did you know that this is a vegetarian recipe? For even more meatless favorites, check out our entire collection of 75+ Easy Vegetarian Recipes!
Read NextUnforgettable Chicken Casserole
Nutritional InformationShow More
Servings Per Recipe: 6
- Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
- Calories 688
- Calories from Fat 253
- Total Fat 28g 43 %
- Saturated Fat 16g 82 %
- Trans Fat 0.0g 0 %
- Protein 35g 69 %
- Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
- Cholesterol 94mg 31 %
- Sodium 1,397mg 58 %
- Total Carbohydrates 72g 24 %
- Dietary Fiber 2.8g 11 %
- Sugars 9.8g 0 %
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Laura
May 04, 2025
I've been making this for years. I use penne, and add a layer of cooked ground beef over the pasta. I also add extra cheese and sauce. It's a favorite!
Delphine Bryant
May 31, 2018
I love ziti and before I had an empty nest, I would prepare it often. Now that it is just my husband and I and he has never really been a fan I just to prepare it any more. If memory serves me correct, this dish will freeze well so I can make and freeze the leftovers in single servings so that when I have a taste for it, it will just be a thaw away.
Morehouse17
May 30, 2018
I do not know which I like better, Ziti or Lasagna. Now ziti is a lot less involved in preparation so if I had to pick based on that alone, ziti would win. However I still have a large love for lasagna. This is a really good recipe and in less than an hour I could have a lovely plate of ziti.
achumley0003 31706 34
Oct 27, 2017
I love Italian food and because of this I am always looking for Italian recipes that are easy to make(because some of them are very complicated). Looking at this recipe I know it's one that I will love and it doesn't take much more time than regular spaghetti. It is also pretty straight forward in method. I think pretty much anyone can make it.
strimble43 5128322
Apr 14, 2017
I've made this often for company and church events. I add extra cheese to the top. Yup. Everyone loves it!
kittlecat 1657525
Sep 01, 2016
I've made this many times. I add Italian sausage and use more sauce than the recipe calls for.
pasta lover 651318 0
Aug 09, 2015
I already rated this recipe but should have also said I could'nt find a 28oz jar of pasta sauce so I added a little of my home made sauce.
pasta lover 651318 0
Jul 26, 2015
Made this for the first time and definitely will make it again. My husband said this recipe is a keeper. Didn't change a thing.
orea15
Apr 17, 2015
I love this just as written. It has become one of my favorites. Adding sauteed onions or mushrooms or meat would be fine if you want to, but it really doesn't need it to taste great.
clett62 2299368
Apr 17, 2015
As with most Italian dishes this is better next day! This is a good badic recipe for us to do with what our families like.
MrSoul
Jan 12, 2015
Give it 5 if and only IF you add some browned Italian sausage, onion, green pepper, and onions to the sauce. Plus a little more tomato sauce is great (unless you use less ziti). Extra cheese a plus! Enjoy.
BeeMooreCareful
Aug 16, 2014
Good recipe! However, I added a few additions because my family likes meat. I browned some ground beef and mixed in some green peppers and onions. I let all of that simmer in the sauce. I cooked the pasta according to the package directions and followed the recipe for the ziti. I then layered ziti and meat mixture in the pan, tossed some shredded mozzarella and chedder cheese on top and baked uncovered for 25 minutes. Served it with cheese toast and side salad.
elizmcmahon 521714 8
Jul 08, 2014
Can you use egg noodles with this recipe? I have some that I'd love to use. What about rotini? Can this be frozen? Can you tell I'm new to the kitchen?
Test Kitchen Team
Jul 10, 2014
Yes, you can use either egg noodles or Rotini, if you prefer. This can also be frozen. Enjoy!
orea15
Jun 09, 2014
I made this with a 12 ounce pkg. of pasta since that was what I had. The rest of the recipe I followed as written. I loved it. The seasoning of the cheese mixture is spot on! My husband, who is a pickier eater than I, gave it a 10 out of 10. Add to it that it's easy to make, and you have a winner that we will be enjoying often. Thank you!
williamwhitehead 9 813682
May 21, 2014
Couple of suggestions. 1. use the same pan that cooked the pasta for mixing the ziti and cheese mixture. 2. for the topping using the last 1/2 of the jar sauce, mix a can of stewed tomatoes with it. then top it all with the parmesan. yummy!
Aehgrant 9214079
Apr 11, 2014
I thought it was perfect as is, but my husband would have preferred more sauce. Used Barilla Pasta Plus penne.
meghh73 1107359
Mar 07, 2014
I've made this several times now, and it has become a family favorite
LindaK5 5779505
Aug 03, 2013
Good except a little dry. Next time I will add at least another jar of spaghetti sauce.
barbaraschmidt 193 1641
Jun 19, 2014
This is a delicious recipe, but does need more moisture. Add a can of diced tomatoes and a little tomato juice, and more cheese on top.
dslotten 6572285
Jul 15, 2013
I also added more sauce because that is what I like. It was very good.
dianeharrisn 28295 45
Jul 14, 2013
I added a bit more sauce, my kids loved it. It really is simple and delicious, make the chop chop salad to go with it. They compliment each other.
leo12inmn
Jul 10, 2013
Made this tonite. Super! Added more sauce because I like sauce. I will make this again.
racurtis55 3929052
Jul 09, 2013
Very easy but I added a pound of Johnsonville sweet sausage and some diced onion browned together added the sauce and a small can of tomato sauce (8oz.) Very good with using prego chunky vegetable for sauce! Baked it in my lasangne pan too..
mac2013
Jul 09, 2013
i add both hanburger and ground turkey and mushroons, onion, and greenpeppers
lala1941jan 423498 9
Jul 09, 2013
I like a lot of sauce, this s very good and I would add sausage also.
eabriesch 4136528
Apr 06, 2013
Really good recipe; second time I've made it, but this time I used two jars of sauce and a pound of Italian sausage and it was much better. It was too dry the first time. I also used the whole grain pasta with added protein. Since it's just me, I will have lots of leftovers.
drozdibob 7537844
Oct 08, 2012
Made it the first time according to the directions here listed. Was very tasty! Second time, used 1 pound ground Italian sweet sausage (hubby doesn't like hot) and increased the ziti to a full pound. I don't know whose family of 8 half pound of ziti will feed..... This would also be very good with seasoned browned ground beef instead of sausage. Recipe is a keeper!
leachsrl 6023371
Sep 23, 2012
Easy to make - Tasted like it came from an Italian Restaurant in the Northeast - We really enjoyed it. I am planning this for company! Mr. Foof recipes are just great.
gelf19 3029180
Aug 02, 2012
I kept this one but under the heading of "Slow Cooker" here at Mr. Food, there is an AWESOME recipe for baked ziti in the crock pot. I know you might be doubtful..like I was...but try it. It's great to make it in the Summer and not turn the oven on. :o}
caffeine
Apr 14, 2012
IMO, there IS no other way to make Baked Ziti ! I am so tired of being disappointed with "Bring A Dish" renditions........ way too little sauce ! It should be Ooey Gooey, and this one's IT ! Bravo Mr. Food and Thank You
rhefter 4717770
Mar 03, 2012
I added fresh sliced mushrooms, sweet Italian sausage, browned with sweet onions to taste. I also added some tomato sauce to keep from drying out while baking. Served with garlic bread and a Ceasar salad.
Barbara1959
Dec 08, 2011
looks easy to make! going to try it! look yummy! my whole fammily loves ziti!
cbedwards
Mar 30, 2011
We LOVE this at home, but has anyone else noticed that only 1/2 a pound of pasta seems like too little??? Every time I have made this recipe, I make it with a full pound and I still have PLENTY of the ricotta mix and pasta sauce to cover the entire pan. Great meal easy, easy, easy!
beewitte
Feb 24, 2011
I have been using this recipe for years and have often had family and friends ask for the recipe. I either add sausage or seasoned ground beef to the pasta/cheese mix and broccoli or baby spinach to make it a full meal in a dish.
marilynmonroe2004
Feb 19, 2011
such a yummy, easy pasta dish for small "new" familys. Full of flavor YUMMMM
swimmom
Dec 24, 2010
This has been one of my favorite recipes for several years. My whole family loves it.
Shannon332
Oct 30, 2010
I doubled the recipe and it was an easy dish for a weeknight. This is what I am looking for, quick, easy and good! Great for left overs and lunches the next day and night.
susan2556 8018589
Oct 22, 2010
I tried this recipe and my family loved it! The recotta cheese was the winner in this dish-I took leftovers to work and shared the recipe. Will definetly have again- Thanks Mr. Food!!!
evelynl39702 64928 96
Oct 20, 2010
I have a similar recipe using ground turkey and also using 1/2 package spinach (thawed & patted to take as much of water as possible from spinach). Adds extra taste to casserole.
Eve H
Oct 13, 2010
ABSOULUTELY SCRUMPTIOUS !!! Now, if I could JUST get you guys to answer my emails on another receipe, I can die happy...lol Thanks for the great ideas and receipes
Annique
Oct 13, 2010
this was so good i recommend it good enough for dinner guest wiht a nice salad and italain crusty bread yummo
Spaghetti Kid
Oct 13, 2010
I will use this receipt soon! I would like to use some ground beef with the spaghetti sauce. Will let you know how it turns out later.
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