Creamy Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipe

by

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6–8 servings

Description

This Creamy Cheesy Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food! Packed with layers of rich marinara, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted cheese, this easy baked pasta dish is perfect for family dinners or meal prep.

Ingredients

For the Pasta:

  • 1 lb ziti pasta (or penne)
  • 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)

For the Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix of both)
  • 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (or homemade)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

For the Creamy Ricotta Mixture:

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (for extra creaminess)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For Topping:

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Make the Meat Sauce:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart. Drain excess grease if needed. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.

Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:
In a bowl, mix ricotta, sour cream, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese.

Assemble the Baked Ziti:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread ½ cup sauce on the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the cooked pasta, then half of the ricotta mixture, followed by half of the remaining sauce. Repeat layers with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.

Bake & Serve:
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Let sit for 5–10 minutes, then garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

Make it extra creamy by mixing ½ cup heavy cream into the sauce.
For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and add sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
Leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 days or freeze for 3 months.

Leave a Comment