Best Baked Ziti

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty Italian dish with layers of pasta, marinara, and ricotta, baked to golden perfection. This italian-inspired sheet pan ready in about 70 minutes pairs ziti pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 8, 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.

★ 3.7 (10 ratings) Prep: 40 min Cook: 30 min Serves 8 Italian cuisine 380 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, 1/2 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, basil, salt, and pepper.
  3. Step 3: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup marinara sauce. Layer half the pasta, followed by half the ricotta mixture, then 2 cups marinara sauce.
  4. Step 4: Repeat layers: pasta, ricotta, and marinara. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Drizzle with olive oil.
  5. Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Best Baked Ziti take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (40 min prep + 30 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 Best 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 Best 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 Best Baked Ziti for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Best 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes