Baked Ziti

Article by: Krissy Downey

This classic Italian American recipe is the perfect combination of ziti, tomato sauce and gooey, melted cheese, baked to perfection. Our test kitchen created a go-to, no-frills formula that turns out perfectly balanced and seasoned every time. Ready in less than an hour, this recipe is a five-star pasta for a reason.

How to Make Baked Ziti Like a Pro

Make homemade sauce. Homemade tomato sauce doesn’t have to be complicated, and it can be ready in a flash. We use Italian sausage, onions, garlic and herbs to quickly flavor canned tomato sauce.

Don’t skimp on the sauce. A common critique of baked ziti is that it’s too dry. In the oven, the pasta really soaks up a lot of the sauce, so use extra tomato if the pasta looks a bit dry.

Use fresh mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella – unlike the pre-shredded, packaged kind – melts beautifully, creating a creamy, stretchy and gooey texture. Plus, it has a rich, milky flavor that pairs wonderfully with acidic tomato sauce.

What Is the Difference Between Ziti and Rigatoni?

Ziti and rigatoni are quite similar, and, if you only have rigatoni on hand, it’s a great substitute for this dish. The main differences are in the size and texture. Ziti is thinner and longer than rigatoni, and ziti is smooth. Rigatoni has ridges on the outside to help sauce cling to the pasta. Different baked pasta dishes call for different pasta shapes that pair well with the other ingredients. Ziti’s tubular shape allows sauce to fill the inside, its smooth texture blends well with sauce and it holds its shape during baking, making it the right choice for this recipe.

Do You Have to Use Ricotta In Baked Ziti?

Though it’s a traditional ingredient in baked ziti, you do not have to use ricotta. Our recipe skips it and uses a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan for a cheesier, gooier, less creamy texture.

Can I Add More Protein to Make it a Heartier Dish?

The quick tomato sauce has sausage in it, but you can also add ground beef, cubed chicken, or even hearty vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini to make baked ziti a hearty, complete meal.

Can I Make Baked Ziti Ahead of Time?

You can absolutely make baked ziti in advance. You can assemble it, keep it un-baked, cover it tightly in plastic wrap and bake it right from the fridge. You can also bake it, cool it completely, wrap it in plastic wrap, refrigerate and bake to reheat, but you might want to use a little extra sauce if you choose to do the latter. The pasta will absorb the sauce every time the dish goes in the oven, so extra sauce will prevent it from drying out.

What to Serve with Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is a complete dish all on its own, but it pairs well with light salads and vegetables. A caesar salad, simple green salad or sauteed spinach are all nice and light, or you could go full comfort with garlic bread.