Enjoy the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Baked Ziti recipe, a perfect blend of tender noodles, rich, creamy sauce, and gooey cheese. It’s an easy, five ingredient family-friendly meal that brings classic Italian flavors to your table in a casserole-style dish everyone will love!
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When my kids were little, one of the only things I could get them to eat without complaint was pasta. Once I learned that, I began making lots of pasta dishes but packing them with meats, veggies, and more!
One of their favorite meals I still make to this day is Baked Ziti. They all scrape their plates clean, ask for seconds, and if there are leftovers, they even ask if they can have it in their lunches for the next day, which is a win for this busy home chef!
Baked Ziti Casserole
Baked Ziti is a classic in the world of comfort food that combines al dente pasta, savory meat sauce, creamy alfredo, and a generous layer of melted mozzarella cheese. When baked together, they create a warm, comforting casserole that’s perfect for any day of the week, even without ricotta!
One of the best ways to feed a busy family is by making these simple pasta casserole dishes. Not only do they use simple budget friendly ingredients, but they also can be assembled ahead of time. Plus, there’s usually plenty to use for leftovers throughout the week!
Creamy baked ziti with ground beef is perfect for any occasion, from laid-back family dinners to bigger occasions like parties or holidays. Pair it with simple sides like salads, roasted asparagus, or garlic bread, making it easy to serve a full, satisfying meal!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: It’s incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal prep time and uses simple ingredients you may already have on hand.
- Budget-friendly: It’s a budget-friendly option that feeds a large group without losing out on flavor.
- Customizable: The recipe is highly versatile, allowing you to swap in different meats or add vegetables or different sauces and seasonings.
- Make ahead: You can prepare it ahead of time, making it an easy choice for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- Delicious leftovers: Leftovers reheat beautifully, which tastes just as good the next day if not better!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ziti Pasta – Serve as the base of the dinner, giving it a hearty texture that perfectly absorbs the rich and creamy sauces.
- Ground Meat – Adds protein to the dish, making it more filling and satisfying. You can use any type of ground meat you enjoy, including turkey, pork, or beef.
- Spaghetti Sauce – Brings a classic tomato-based flavor that compliments the rest of the ingredients.
- Alfredo Sauce – Adds a creamy, velvety layer to the dish layering in a buttery garlic flavor.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – Topped over the dish, it melts into a gooey, stretchy layer of cheese that brings all the flavors together under a golden, bubbly crust.
How To Make Easy Baked Ziti Casserole
- Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Set aside.
- Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Add the dry ziti and cook according to the instructions on the package. Drain the water.
- Mix with alfredo sauce: In a bowl, toss the pasta with the alfredo sauce, then pour the pasta into the prepared baking dish. Set aside.
- Assemble the meat sauce: In a large skillet, cook the ground meat, breaking it up with a spatula until no longer pink and fully cooked through. Drain the fat from the mat, then add the spaghetti pasta sauce and simmer with the cooked meat for about 5 minutes.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the simmered meat sauce on top of the pasta followed by the shredded mozzarella distributed evenly on top. Cover the pan with foil, then bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes to set. Serve while hot. Enjoy!
Helpful Recipe Tips
- For best results, cook the ziti noodles al dente to prevent them from becoming too soft when baked, as they will continue to cook in the oven.
- Drain the ground meat thoroughly after browning to avoid adding excess grease to the dish.
- Spray the underside of the aluminum foil with cooking spray before covering the dish to prevent the cheese from sticking to it.
- Let the baked ziti rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the layers to set and makes serving easier.
- If using store-bought sauces, taste them before adding them to adjust for seasoning since some brands may be saltier than others.
Flavor Variations and Substitutions
- Meats: Instead of using ground beef, try using ground turkey, pork, Italian sausage, or a mix of different blends.
- Cheeses: Use other Italian cheese to top the dish, including provolone, ricotta, or pecorino romano, to change up the flavor. Grated Parmesan cheese is a great addition too.
- Veggies: Toss in a mix of your favorite vegetables like 1 cup fresh chopped spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes. Top with some chopped fresh Basil just before serving.
- Pasta: Use other types of pasta to make this dish, like penne, rotini, or any pasta that absorbs sauce well.
- Spicy: Mix in a touch of red pepper flakes to the red sauce for a slightly spicy kick you can control.
- Gluten free: Use a certified gluten free pasta instead of regular wheat pasta. Make sure the rest of your ingredients are made without gluten.
Storing & Freezing Creamy Baked Ziti without Ricotta
- Storing: Keep leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Assemble the ziti without baking, or cool down leftovers before wrapping tightly with aluminum foil and then plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Thaw frozen baked ziti in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. Reheat in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, for about 20 minutes or until heated through. If baking from frozen, increase the oven temperature to 375°F and bake for about 60 minutes, removing the foil for the last 10 minutes to allow the top to become golden and bubbly.
- Make ahead: Prepare the baked ziti recipe as directed up to the point before baking. Once assembled, cover the dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, you may need to add an additional 5-10 minutes to the baking time if the dish is cold from the refrigerator.
Creamy Baked Ziti Recipe FAQ’s
How do you make baked ziti not dry?
To prevent baked ziti from becoming dry, make sure there’s enough sauce covering the pasta and meat mixture before baking. Covering the dish with foil for the first half of baking helps to lock in moisture, keeping the ziti moist and flavorful.
Should baked ziti be covered when baking?
Yes, baked ziti should be covered with aluminum foil during the first half of the baking time to prevent the top from drying out or burning. Removing the foil halfway through baking allows the cheese to become nicely browned and bubbly.
Is Ziti considered a casserole?
Yes, ziti can be considered a casserole. It is a baked dish that combines pasta with sauce, cheese, and often meat, all cooked together in one dish.
More Easy Italian Pasta Recipes
- Slow Cooker Baked Ziti– classic comfort food at its finest, perfect for those busy weeknights!
- Creamy Baked Tortellini– this quick and easy meal calls for only 7 ingredients and can be ready for the oven in under 10 minutes!
- Stuffed Lasagna Shells– love the flavors of lasagna but don’t want to deal with all the layering? Stuffed Lasagna Shells is the recipe is for you! All the same great flavors, just stuffed into pasta shells!
- Italian Noodle Casserole– ground Beef, marinara sauce, egg noodles, seasonings, cream cheese, and more all combined into a casserole that is packed with flavor, but easy to prep!
- Instant Pot Stuffed Shells– flavorful, cheesy, and made in no time using the Instant Pot!
This easy Creamy Baked Ziti is a delicious and satisfying baked pasta dish that is sure to please the whole family. With its layers of pasta, cheese, and savory sauce, it’s a comfort food classic that never fails to hit the spot. Whether you’re looking for a hearty meal to serve at a dinner party or simply craving some homemade Italian comfort food, creamy ziti is always a crowd-pleaser. So why not whip up a batch tonight and enjoy this creamy and cheesy delight for yourself? You won’t be disappointed!
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Cheesy Creamy Baked Ziti
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ziti noodles
- 1 lb ground beef *or turkey
- 26 oz spaghetti sauce
- 16 oz Alfredo sauce
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese *shredded
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to directions. Drain water.
- Add in Alfredo sauce to pasta and mix well.
- Pour pasta into a greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Set aside.
- In a different pan, cook the turkey/beef until no longer pink. Drain fat.
- Add in spaghetti sauce and allow to simmer on low for about 5 minutes.
- Pour meat sauce on top of alfredo pasta evenly.
- Sprinkle cheese on top of pan.
- Cover pan with foil. *Spray the foil with cooking spray to avoid the foil sticking to the cheese.
- Bake in a preheated oven, 350, for 15 minutes covered, 15 minutes uncovered.
- Remove from oven and serve!!
Nutrition
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