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Our easy baked ziti recipe is a meaty baked pasta smothered in a cheesy tomato sauce. It’s ready in 30 minutes and feeds a crowd!

A dish filled with our easy baked ziti recipe topped with melted mozzarella.
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Baked Pasta For the Win!

Every Tuesday night is Pasta Night at our house. We have so many “go-to” pasta dishes that we LOVE and this easy baked ziti recipe is one of them!

The sauce is so flavorful and creamy (it has cream cheese). It’s also topped with a delicious layer of shredded AND fresh mozzarella cheese, which is the best way to top off any recipe.

This recipe is perfect for feeding our big family. We only made one large casserole dish full of ziti to feed all 8 of us. That’s what I love about baked pasta recipes for dinner—they’re ideal for feeding the masses!

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • Filling for the entire family! It easily feeds our family of 8. Pair it with a side salad or bread and you’re good to go!
  • For busy nights. From start to finish, this dish is ready in only 30 minutes!! This is a great weeknight dinner.
  • Extra cheesy. With two kinds of mozzarella and cream cheese – this dish is one cheesy masterpiece!

Ingredients

  • 1 (16-ounce) package ziti pasta or rigatoni, shells, pinwheel, penne, bow tie, or other similar-sized noodles
  • ½ pound ground beef 80% lean / 20% fat or use all ground beef or all sausage, or even substitute it with ground turkey or chicken
  • ½ pound mild Italian sausage or add extra meat like pepperoni or bacon crumbles
  • 1½-2 cups marinara sauce Homemade or store-bought brand (we love Rao’s)
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup sour cream – or Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt with parsley flakes or add onion powder or black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese – add some parmesan cheese or stir in some ricotta cheese
  • fresh basil for garnish
  • optional – Add heat with jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce.
  • optional vegetables – shredded carrot, shredded zucchini, olives, mushrooms, diced bell peppers, chopped onion, or chopped fresh spinach

How to Make Baked ZitI

  1. PREP. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. PASTA. Cook 16 ounces ziti noodles to al dente in a large pot according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta.
  3. MEAT. While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet and brown ½ pound ground beef and ½ pound Italian sausage until no longer pink. Drain fat and set it aside.
  4. SAUCE. In a large pot over medium heat, combine 1½-2 cups Marinara sauce, 1 can diced tomatoes, 4 ounces cream cheese, and ½ cup sour cream and simmer until well blended and cream cheese is melted.
  5. BAKE. Add pasta and sauce to the saucepan with ground beef and sausage and mix well. Add 1 teaspoon garlic salt and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 pan. Top with 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
    • Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Let rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Garnish this easy baked ziti recipe with fresh basil.

Dry Pasta Tip

When you bake pasta casseroles, the noodles on top may get a bit dried out. Covering the entire casserole with a layer of cheese helps. You can also cover the pan with aluminum foil during half of the bake time. 

A baked dish filled with easy baked ziti recipe topped with melted mozzarella.

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5 from 13 votes

Easy Baked Ziti

By: Lil’ Luna
Easy baked ziti recipe is a meaty baked pasta smothered in a cream cheese tomato sauce. It's ready in 30 minutes and feeds a crowd!
Servings: 10
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 (16-ounce) package ziti pasta
  • ½ pound ground beef, 80% lean / 20% fat
  • ½ pound mild Italian sausage
  • 1½-2 cups marinara sauce, (we love Rao’s)
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt with parsley flakes
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • fresh basil for garnish

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  • Cook pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, cook ground beef and Italian sausage in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring and breaking up into small pieces, until no longer pink (about 7-10 minutes). Drain fat and set saucepan aside.
  • In a large pot over medium heat, combine marinara sauce, tomatoes, cream cheese, and sour cream and cook until well blended and cream cheese is melted, stirring often.
  • Add the pasta and sauce to the saucepan with ground beef and mix well. Add garlic salt and Italian seasoning.
  • Pour into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with fresh mozzarella and shredded mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, uncovered.
  • Let rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.

Video

Notes

Avoid dry pasta. When you bake pasta casseroles, the noodles on top tend to get a bit dried out. Covering the entire casserole with a layer of cheese helps. You can also cover the pan with aluminum foil during half of the bake time. 
Prep ahead. Prepare the casserole as directed, but don’t top with cheese or bake. Instead, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 days, or wrap again with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw if needed, add cheese, and bake.
Store. Allow to cool completely add to an airtight container(s) and store in the fridge for 1-2 days or freezer for 2-3 months before reheating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 310kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 78mg, Sodium: 840mg, Potassium: 286mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 616IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 210mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

Make ahead of time?

Prepare the casserole as directed, but don’t top with cheese or bake. Instead, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 days, or wrap again with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw if needed, add cheese, and bake.

How to store baked ziti?

Allow to cool completely add to an airtight container(s) and store in the fridge for 1-2 days or freezer for 2-3 months before reheating.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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5 from 13 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




15 Comments

  1. Erinbarbee says:

    5 stars
    My family all loves this recipe. And, it’s easy. So, a huge win. I leave the cheese off the top and just put it on the individual servings since I have a cheese hater. 😉

  2. Kristina says:

    5 stars
    I love the sausage/ground beef combo. The fresh mozzarella made the perfect topping. Yum!

  3. Kristina says:

    5 stars
    I love the sausage/ground beef combo and the mozzarella was the perfect topping. Yum!

  4. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    We love ziti! This recipe will not disappoint. Creamy and cheesy!

  5. Joy says:

    5 stars
    Ziti is one of our go-to Sunday meals! The whole family loves it & takes no time at all to make! My kind of meal!

  6. Erin Barbee says:

    5 stars
    Easy and delicious. My kids all loves this dish even though I have a bunch of picky eaters.

  7. Jacqueline Ftemplin says:

    I want to bake this for family. Quick and easy

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yes, it is 🙂 I hope you will give it a try & that your family likes it!

  8. Steph says:

    5 stars
    Hi Kristyn

    I have a question for you!!! LOVE your recipes……I want to make these above pasta dishes…
    I would be making them ahead of time,now do you think they would freeze ok or even make them a day before and refrigerate??
    We have a four day family reunion with about 30ish hungry people. I am always looking for fun,easy and affortable menu options.
    Keep your awesome recipes coming.
    Steph

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      How fun!! I’m glad you found some recipes to try! Yes, these should freeze just fine. Have fun with your family!

  9. Stephanie R says:

    MMM. This looks DELICIOUS!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Thank you – it really is so good!

      1. Jodi says:

        If I were to use ground beef in this recipe would I add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, and cream cheese to it (after browning ofcourse) then mix in the pasta?

      2. Kristyn Merkley says:

        That’s what I would do 🙂 I bet it would be good in there!!