Alarm-Beep Baked Ziti

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting baked pasta dish with a creamy tomato-basil sauce, layered with cheese and herbs for a rich, cheesy finish. This italian-inspired sheet pan ready in about 70 minutes pairs ziti pasta, tomato sauce, fresh basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.6 (14 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large pot, boil 16 oz ziti pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Sauté 2 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 2 cups tomato sauce and 1/4 cup chopped basil; simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan. Stir until well mixed.
  4. Step 4: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer 1/2 cooked ziti, 1/2 tomato sauce mixture, and 1/2 ricotta-mozzarella blend. Repeat layers, ending with a top layer of sauce and cheese.
  5. Step 5: Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving, garnished with additional basil.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Alarm-Beep Baked Ziti take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (30 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Alarm-Beep Baked Ziti?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ziti pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Alarm-Beep Baked Ziti?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Alarm-Beep Baked Ziti for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Alarm-Beep Baked Ziti?

Italian sheet pan like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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