Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce

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Nothing says comfort like a bubbling, cheesy Baked Ziti fresh from the oven. This hearty Italian dish gets a cast iron makeover with tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and gooey cheese—perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Love baked pasta? Try this zesty baked Mexican spaghetti or manicotti pasta bake, next!

Baked ziti in a Dutch oven with a portion scooped up.

This cozy Italian baked ziti with meat sauce is a breeze to whip up in your trusty cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. Imagine tender ziti noodles coated in a savory tomato-based meat sauce with garlic, onion, fresh parsley, and Italian spices. Add in a generous amount of gooey, melty cheese and you’ve got a dish that’ll bring everyone to the dinner table, pronto!

The best part? It’s a weeknight winner that doesn’t require any special skills in the kitchen, like this sausage tortellini casserole.

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Why You’ll Love This Classic Baked Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
Variations
How to Make Baked Ziti
Expert Tips
Serving Suggestions
Recipe FAQs
More Easy Dinner Recipes
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Why You’ll Love This Classic Baked Pasta Recipe

Easy to Make: Straightforward steps and everyday ingredients make this recipe a cinch for home cooks, leaving plenty more time to spend with your family rather than slaving away in the kitchen.
Family Friendly: This baked pasta recipe is hearty enough for big appetites, kid-approved, and perfect for leftovers, just like this baked spaghetti casserole. Who doesn’t love a meal that’s double duty?
Versatile: Dutch oven baked ziti is ideal for gatherings, weeknight meal prep, or a comforting weeknight dinner - a great go-to option!
Rich & Comforting: The marriage of rich, meaty, and cheesy flavors with crispy edges and a warm, gooey center creates a rustic, home-cooked meal that’s comforting in every bite.

Ingredients

Ziti Pasta: This is the foundation of the recipe - you’ll need 1 pound of ziti that holds the sauce in its tubular shape and makes the dish oh so good. If unavailable, penne, rigatoni, or any similar pasta shape will work well! You might enjoy this baked manicotti recipe too!
Beef and Sausage: A mix of ground beef and Italian sausage is a popular option that adds richness. For a lighter version, try ground turkey or chicken that’ll be just as filling and delicious.
Tomato Base: For the sauce itself, you’ll need whole tomatoes and tomato sauce for a more textured base. Super easy to prepare!
Cheese: This baked ziti with ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella creates creamy, bubbly, cheesy layers, making this dish all the more comforting.
Aromatics: Sauté an onion, olive oil, and cloves of garlic for a more flavorful base.
Seasoning: Parsley and Italian seasoning enhance the baked ziti with Italian sausage, while a pinch of salt and pepper and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes balance the dish.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations

Veggie-Packed: Add spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini for added nutrition, color, and texture. Sauté your choice of veggies with the meat or mix them into the cheese layers.
Cheesy Overload: Try provolone, gouda, or feta to add unique flavors and different textures to the dish.
Make it Meatless: This dish also works well as a satisfying vegetarian option. Swap the meat for vegetables, beans, lentils, or even just with cheese and sauce..
Spice it Up: Add more red pepper flakes to the sauce or use spicy Italian sausage, or a few drops of hot sauce to amp up the heat!
Camp-Friendly: Prep everything ahead and cook over a campfire or coals in a foil-lined camp Dutch oven for a rustic, smoky ziti - perfect for the great outdoors! Try this ground beef and potatoes dinner for another easy camping meal!

How to Make Baked Ziti

Making baked ziti with ricotta is so simple, and anyone will be able to yield delicious results with the following easy steps below. But first, grab your 5-quart Dutch oven, preheat your oven to 375°F, and cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions. Once it’s cooked, drain and rinse it under cool water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics. Cook the onions, garlic, and olive oil in a large skillet until soft and fragrant.

Step 2: Brown the Meat. Add the Italian sausage and ground beef with the onions and garlic and cook until browned. Drain most of the excess fat from the pan, retaining a little bit for flavor and moisture.

Sauce ingredients added to the meat mixture.

Step 3: Make the Sauce. Stir in the tomatoes with their juices and the tomato sauce or marinara into the pan. Mix in the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Simmer the tomato base for 25-30 minutes. Then, set aside 3 to 4 cups of the sauce to cool.

Ingredients to make ricotta cheese mixture in a bowl.

Step 4: Mix the Cheese Layer. Grab a large bowl and combine the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of the grated mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, salt and pepper. Make sure to stir the mixture a few times to incorporate the ingredients, but do not mix completely.

Pasta mixed with the cheese mixture and meat sauce added.

Step 5: Combine the Pasta. Toss the cooked and cooled pasta noodles with the cheese mixture - you should have large lumps. Then, add the 3-4 cups of cooled meat sauce and stir to combine completely.

Step 6: Add First Layer of the Dish. Add half the pasta mixture to the Dutch oven and spread it out.

A layer of meat sauce and cheese on top.

Step 7: Finish Assembly. Spoon half the remaining sauce over the top. Then, top with half of the remaining mozzarella cheese. Repeat with another layer of the pasta mixture, sauce, and mozzarella.

Step 8: Bake, Rest, and Serve. Cook the baked ziti with meat sauce for 20 minutes or until it’s bubbling. Remove the skillet from the oven, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and let it stand for 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy along with some cheesy pull apart bread or crusty bread to soak up the extra sauce.

Expert Tips

Cook ‘Al Dente’: Slightly undercook the pasta before combining it with the sauce. The pasta will continue to cook during the baking process.
Rest Before Serving: Allow your baked pasta to rest a few minutes after baking to help the layers set, make it easier to serve and ensure each portion holds its shape.
Make a Crispy Top: Broil in the last couple of minutes of the baking process to achieve a crispy, golden crust.
Storing: After the leftovers have cooled completely, cover and refrigerate them for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

A spoon lifting up a serving of baked ziti with meat sauce from the pot.

Serving Suggestions

Baked ziti with sausage is a hearty dish that pairs wonderfully with veggies, sides and desserts to create a fun and well-rounded meal. Here are some great examples:

Pair it with honey glazed carrots and asparagus and peas for a hearty meal with lots of veggies.
Make it extra decadent for a family gathering or on a buffet table with this cranberry baked brie and Dutch oven stuffed mushrooms.
Finish the meal with something sweet like a chocolate chip cookie brownie.

Recipe FAQs

What's the best way to reheat baked ziti with meat sauce?

It depends! I like to reheat individual portions in the microwave. Just be sure to cover the dish to prevent drying out. However, it's easier to reheat larger portions in the oven. Be sure to cover the dish and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.

Can I make baked ziti ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the dish and refrigerate it up to 24 hours before baking. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour before baking as directed. It may take a bit longer to cook since it will be cold in the middle.

Can you bake ziti with ricotta cheese?

The ricotta cheese is what gives the dish its cheesy flavor. However, you can use blended cottage cheese in place of the ricotta cheese for a similar texture and flavor.

Why add an egg to baked ziti?

It's key to the structure of the dish. It's mixed into the cheese and pasta layer so that as it bakes, it firms up the layer.