Best Baked Ziti Recipe (2024)

With lean ground beef, marinara sauce, 3 different types of cheese, sour cream, and Italian seasonings, this is truly the Best Baked Ziti Recipe! It’s a hearty dish loaded with flavor and so easy to make. Serve with a simple side salad and garlic bread for a wonderful meal the entire family will love.

Other classic Italian-American pasta favorites to add to your dinner menu include thebest spaghetti saucetopped with our favoritehomemade meatballs!

Easy Baked Ziti Recipe

Baked ziti is one of my all-time favorite Italian-American dishes. It is loaded with flavor and has many of the same elements as lasagna but without all the work.

We stick pretty close to the traditional ziti recipe but with one addition – sour cream. Sour cream is not traditionally found in baked ziti, but we think it’s the secret ingredient that puts this dish over the top. It not only gives the overall dish a wonderful flavor, but also makes it extra creamy.

What is Baked Ziti?

Baked ziti is a pasta casserole made with perfectly al dente ziti noodles, cheese, tomato sauce, and sometimes meat. It’s a bit like a pasta bolognese bake or lasagna without the lasagna noodles. There are many different variations but the consistent ingredients are always pasta, cheese, and tomato sauce all baked together. This is an easy dish to prepare and the ultimate cheesy comfort food.

Baked Ziti Ingredients

Ingredients include ground beef, marinara sauce, and lots and lots of cheese!
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

• Dry ziti pasta – The pasta that gives this dish its name.
• Ground beef – Use lean ground beef to avoid excess grease.
• Onion & garlic – Aromatics to add flavor to the beef.
• Extra virgin olive oil – Used to sauté the beef, onions, and garlic.
• Seasonings – Dried Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper flavor the sauce.
• Marinara sauce – You can buy a jar or use our homemade marinara sauce recipe.
• Cheese – Slices of provolone cheese, shredded mozzarella, and freshly grated parmesan are layered with the pasta.
• Sour cream – Our secret ingredient that provides awesome flavor and makes the filling extra creamy!
• Fresh chopped parsley – For garnish and color.

Recipe Variations

As I mentioned above, there are many variations on this American-Italian classic. Here are a few ways to customize it for your family.

• Can I use different noodles? While this should technically be made with ziti noodles…if you don’t have them on hand, other short noodles like penne and mostaccioli will work just fine.
• Try different proteins. Instead of ground beef, you can make baked ziti with sausage or even ground turkey. Or, for the most flavor, do a combination of ground beef and ground sausage.
• Make it vegetarian. To make vegetarian baked ziti, just omit the ground beef from the recipe. You can add in vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, red bell pepper, and mushrooms, in its place if desired.
• Add ricotta. Many versions of baked ziti use ricotta cheese instead of sour cream. We prefer the flavor of sour cream but feel free to add in some ricotta if desired.
• Double it up. Cooking for a big group or want leftovers? You can easily double this recipe and bake it in a 10×15 pan if needed.

How to Make Baked Ziti

This easy baked ziti with ground beef comes together in just a few easy steps. Here’s a brief summary:
(To make this baked ziti recipe, scroll down to our printable recipe with the complete directions, and don’t miss the video right below.)

1. Cook the pasta. Cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the sauce. Cook the ground beef with the onions, until no pink remains. Drain excess grease. Add in the garlic, followed by the seasonings. Stir in the marinara sauce and gently simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Prepare the baking dish. Spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray.
4. Layer the baked ziti. Spread a layer of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Mix the rest with the pasta. Layer 1/2 the ziti, the provolone, dollops of sour cream, the remaining ziti, and finally the mozzarella cheese. Top with parmesan.
5. Bake. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for a final 15 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

What to Serve with Baked Ziti

Wondering what to serve with baked ziti? My go-to’s are a salad – either a simple side salad or caesar salad – and some freshly baked garlic bread or focaccia bread for scooping up every bit of sauce.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

• How to store leftovers. Leftover baked ziti will last in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Cover it tightly in the casserole dish or transfer to an airtight container.
• Can you freeze baked ziti? Yes, you can freeze this pasta dish before or after baking. Either way, allow it to cool completely then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and again in foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• How to reheat baked ziti. If you’re reheating just a small amount, you can reheat baked ziti in the microwave. You can also reheat the entire pan in the oven. Just be sure to cover it with foil to prevent burning or drying out.
• Make ahead. Baked ziti is great for meal prep and can even be prepped in advance as a freezer meal. Bake the ziti and sauce according to the recipe directions, assemble in the casserole pan with the cheese, and then either cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. It’s best to thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

More Easy Pasta Recipes:

• Lasagna Roll Ups
• Easy Stuffed Shells
• Baked Ravioli Casserole
• Baked Feta Pasta
• Penne Alla Vodka
• Chicken Tetrazzini
• Chicken Alfredo

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onTikTok,Facebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!