Can I make this recipe without meat?

Absolutely! Simply omit the meat and proceed with the recipe as written for a vegetarian version. For more substance, consider adding sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant to the sauce.

My family doesn't like ricotta cheese. Can I substitute something else?

Yes! Cottage cheese makes an excellent substitute for ricotta - just drain it well and even blend it briefly for a smoother texture. Alternatively, you can use a béchamel sauce or simply increase the mozzarella cheese for a different texture.

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Certainly! While ziti is traditional, any medium-sized tubular pasta works wonderfully. Penne, rigatoni, or even fusilli make great substitutions. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to keep the pasta slightly undercooked before baking.

Why did my baked ziti turn out watery?

This usually happens when the pasta releases too much starch during baking. Make sure to drain your pasta well after boiling, and don't skip the cornstarch in the cream sauce as it helps absorb excess moisture. Additionally, allowing the ziti to rest for the full 10 minutes after baking gives the sauce time to set up properly.

Weeknight Baked Ziti Recipe

Name: Weeknight Baked Ziti Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb dry ziti; 1 lb lean ground beef or mild Italian sausage; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 4 cups marinara sauce; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 2 eggs, lightly beaten; 1 lb ricotta cheese; 1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated and divided; 2 cups mozzarella cheese, chopped into 1/4-inch cubes and divided

This incredible Weeknight Baked Ziti brings together the best of Italian comfort food in one magnificent dish. With layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and three types of cheese melted to perfection, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. The best part? It’s designed to fit perfectly into your busy schedule without sacrificing any of that homemade goodness your family craves.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Family Favorite: This recipe consistently earns rave reviews from even the pickiest eaters – the perfect balance of pasta, cheese, and savory meat sauce makes it universally appealing.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it ahead of time and pop it in the oven when you’re ready for dinner – ideal for busy households or when entertaining guests.
Comfort Food at its Finest: There’s something incredibly satisfying about pulling a bubbling, golden-brown baked ziti from the oven that just can’t be matched by simpler weeknight meals.
Generous Portions: This recipe makes enough to feed a crowd or provide welcome leftovers that taste even better the next day.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ziti pasta: The star of the show – its tubular shape captures the perfect amount of sauce in every bite. You can substitute penne or rigatoni if that’s what you have on hand.
Ground beef or Italian sausage: Provides rich, savory protein. Sausage adds a wonderful depth of flavor, while ground beef offers a more neutral base.
Italian seasoning: A time-saving blend that adds authentic flavor without needing a dozen different herb containers.
Red pepper flakes: Brings a subtle heat that wakes up all the other flavors without overwhelming the dish.
Marinara sauce: The foundation of our flavor profile. Use your favorite jarred sauce to save time or homemade if you’re feeling ambitious.
Heavy cream: Creates an incredibly silky texture and cuts the acidity of the tomato sauce, resulting in a more balanced, luxurious dish.
Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent for the cream sauce, ensuring your ziti isn’t watery.
Eggs: Binds the cheese mixture together and gives it a wonderful texture when baked.
Ricotta cheese: Adds creaminess and light, delicate texture between layers of pasta and sauce.
Parmesan cheese: Brings that distinctive savory, nutty flavor that’s essential in Italian cooking.
Mozzarella cheese: Creates those irresistible cheese pulls and beautiful golden brown top that makes everyone reach for seconds.
Salt and pepper: Always essential for seasoning to your family’s taste preferences.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to make this recipe your own? Here are some delicious options:

Vegetarian Version

Skip the meat entirely and add sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers for a hearty vegetable version.

Protein Swap

Try ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option, or use plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian-friendly meal.

Spice Level

Increase the red pepper flakes or add a few tablespoons of calabrian chili paste for a fiery kick.

Cheese Exploration

Swap in fontina or provolone for part of the mozzarella for more complex flavor, or use smoked mozzarella for a rustic twist.

How to Make Weeknight Baked Ziti

Step 1: Prepare the Base

Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti for about 5-6 minutes – you want it slightly underdone as it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Create the Meat Sauce

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown your ground beef or Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed. Add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, stirring to incorporate these flavors into the meat. Pour in the marinara sauce, reduce the heat, and let everything simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 3: Make the Cream Sauce

In a large saucepan (or reuse your pasta pot to save on dishes), whisk together the cornstarch and heavy cream until smooth. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat once thickened.

Step 4: Prepare the Cheese Mixture

In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with the beaten eggs, mixing until smooth. Add 1 cup of Parmesan and 1 cup of diced mozzarella, stirring until well incorporated. This mixture will create pockets of cheesy goodness throughout your ziti.

Step 5: Combine Components

Add the ricotta mixture to your thickened cream sauce, stirring until fully combined. Pour in 1 cup of the marinara sauce and stir again. Now add your partially cooked ziti to this creamy cheese mixture, gently folding until all pasta is coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6: Assemble and Bake

Transfer this pasta mixture to your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with the remaining meat sauce, creating a flavorful blanket over the pasta. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top. Cover with aluminum foil that’s been sprayed with nonstick spray (this prevents the cheese from sticking).

Bake covered for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese is gloriously golden brown and bubbling. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set up properly.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Undercook the Pasta: The pasta will continue cooking in the oven, so leaving it slightly firm ensures it won’t become mushy.
Cheese Cubes vs. Shredded: Cutting the mozzarella into small cubes rather than using pre-shredded creates delightful pockets of melted cheese throughout the dish.
Rest Before Serving: Those 10 minutes of resting time might seem torturous when you’re hungry, but they’re crucial for allowing the layers to set, making it easier to serve neat portions.
Season in Layers: Don’t wait until the end to add salt and pepper – season each component as you go to build depth of flavor.

How to Serve

This hearty baked ziti truly shines as the centerpiece of a meal, but a few complementary sides will create a complete dining experience:

Perfect Pairings:

Serve with a crisp green salad dressed simply with olive oil and lemon juice to cut through the richness.
Garlic bread or a crusty Italian loaf is ideal for soaking up every last bit of sauce.
Roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts provide a nice contrast to the cheesy pasta.

Presentation:

For an impressive presentation, sprinkle freshly chopped basil or parsley over individual servings and offer extra grated Parmesan on the side.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead Options

This ziti is perfect for preparing in advance. Assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours before baking, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add an extra 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time since you’ll be starting with a cold dish.

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually develop and improve after a day or two!

Freezing

This dish freezes beautifully. You can freeze it before or after baking:

Before baking: Assemble, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
After baking: Cool completely, portion into airtight containers, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave until heated through, about 2-3 minutes. For larger portions, cover with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven until hot throughout, approximately 20-30 minutes.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe without meat?

Absolutely! Simply omit the meat and proceed with the recipe as written for a vegetarian version. For more substance, consider adding sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant to the sauce.
My family doesn’t like ricotta cheese. Can I substitute something else?

Yes! Cottage cheese makes an excellent substitute for ricotta – just drain it well and even blend it briefly for a smoother texture. Alternatively, you can use a béchamel sauce or simply increase the mozzarella cheese for a different texture.
Can I use a different pasta shape?

Certainly! While ziti is traditional, any medium-sized tubular pasta works wonderfully. Penne, rigatoni, or even fusilli make great substitutions. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to keep the pasta slightly undercooked before baking.
Why did my baked ziti turn out watery?

This usually happens when the pasta releases too much starch during baking. Make sure to drain your pasta well after boiling, and don’t skip the cornstarch in the cream sauce as it helps absorb excess moisture. Additionally, allowing the ziti to rest for the full 10 minutes after baking gives the sauce time to set up properly.

Final Thoughts

This Weeknight Baked Ziti recipe transforms simple ingredients into something truly special – comfort food at its finest. What I love most is how it brings everyone to the table with smiles, whether it’s a regular Tuesday night or a special gathering. The combination of three cheeses, perfectly seasoned meat sauce, and tender pasta creates a dish that feels like it should take hours to prepare, yet fits comfortably into your busy schedule. Give this recipe a try – I’m confident it will earn a permanent spot in your family’s dinner rotation!