Classic Baked Ziti
A hearty baked pasta dish with rich marinara, Italian sausage, and melted cheese for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal. This italian-inspired quick meals ready in about 60 minutes pairs (cooked and drained) ziti pasta, marinara sauce, (cooked and crumbled) Italian sausage for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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 (cooked and drained) ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 lb (cooked and crumbled) Italian sausage
- 2 cloves (minced) garlic
- 1 medium (diced) onions
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup (grated) parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (chopped) mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp (dried) oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, mix cooked ziti pasta, marinara sauce, cooked sausage, garlic, onions, tomato paste, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Step 2: Transfer the mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish, pressing it into an even layer. Spread parmesan cheese over the top, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
- Step 3: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly, and the edges are crispy. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic Baked Ziti take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (30 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 Classic 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 marinara sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Classic 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 Classic 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 Classic Baked Ziti?
Italian quick meals 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
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
