Cheesy Ziti Baked Pasta
A creamy baked pasta dish with tender ziti, mozzarella, and a rich tomato sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 65 minutes pairs ziti pasta, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large pot, boil 12 oz ziti pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups tomato sauce and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, 1 cup cooked ziti, 1 cup tomato sauce mixture, and 1/4 cup chopped basil.
- Step 5: Top with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cheesy Ziti Baked Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (30 min prep + 35 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 Cheesy Ziti Baked Pasta?
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 Cheesy Ziti Baked Pasta?
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 Cheesy Ziti Baked Pasta 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 Cheesy Ziti Baked Pasta?
Italian pasta 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
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
