Classic Baked Ziti with Mozzarella

Classic Baked Ziti is comfort food at its best—a filling, cheesy pasta bake that the whole family adores. This no‑pork, no‑bacon, no‑wine recipe keeps it simple and inclusive, perfect for vegetarian dinners or those avoiding pork and alcohol. It’s quick to prepare, easy to adapt, and freezes beautifully for meal prep. Follow along for a detailed, step‑by‑step guide, plus FAQ and serving ideas!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Busy Weeknight Winner
With simple pantry staples—ziti, tomato sauce, cheese—you can have dinner ready in about 45 minutes. Minimal prep, maximum flavor.

Crowd‑Pleasing Comfort
Layers of tender pasta, hearty sauce, and bubbly mozzarella guarantee happy diners. Perfect for feeding a family, potluck side, or comforting solo meal.

Customizable & Adaptable
Want more veggies? Add spinach or mushrooms. Prefer a little heat? Stir in red pepper flakes. It’s a base recipe with endless potential.

Vegetarian-Friendly
By omitting meat, this recipe suits vegetarians. You can optionally add plant-based sausage or extra vegetables for protein and texture.

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Ingredients

(Serves 6–8)

• 12 oz (340 g) ziti pasta (or rigatoni, penne)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1½ tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried basil

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for mild heat)

• 2 (24 oz/680 g) cans tomato sauce, or 6 cups homemade marinara

• 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

• Salt & freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

• 1 cup ricotta cheese

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided

• ½ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano

• Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional garnish)

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Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

• Large pot for cooking pasta

• Colander

• Large skillet or saucepan for sauce

• 9×13‑inch (23×33 cm) baking dish

• Mixing bowl

• Aluminum foil

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 – Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Lightly grease your baking dish with a bit of olive oil or nonstick spray.

Step 2 – Cook the Ziti

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add ziti and stir occasionally.
Cook until ½ minute shy of package instructions for firm al dente (since it’ll cook more in the oven).
Drain in a colander and set aside.

Step 3 – Make the Sauce

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Sauté onion until translucent (4–5 minutes), then add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes.
Add tomato sauce and sugar.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Let it simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4 – Combine Pasta & Sauce

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti and the tomato sauce.
Fold in ½ cup mozzarella and the grated Parmesan, mixing gently to distribute evenly.

Step 5 – Assemble the Bake

Spread half of the pasta mixture into your baking dish.
Drop dollops of ricotta cheese across the surface (about ½ cup).
Add the remaining pasta mix on top.
Sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups mozzarella evenly across the surface.

Step 6 – Bake

Cover the baking dish with foil.
Bake for 20 minutes at 375 °F (190 °C).
Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and the edges are bubbly.
For a golden crust, broil for 2–3 minutes—watch closely to avoid burning.

Step 7 – Garnish & Serve

Remove from oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes to set.
Garnish with chopped fresh basil.
Serve warm with a crisp salad or garlic bread.

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Tips & Variations

Ingredient Substitutions

• Pasta: You can use penne, rigatoni, or shells if ziti isn’t available.

• Cheese: Try provolone or fontina in place of mozzarella. For dairy-free, use plant-based cheese.

• Ricotta: Cottage cheese (well-drained) or mascarpone work well as alternatives.

Add-In Ideas

• Vegetables: Add mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers for a veggie boost.

• Protein: Stir in cooked Italian-style turkey sausage or plant-based meat. Chickpeas or white beans also work well.

• Spice: Add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of smoked paprika for added warmth.

Make-Ahead & Freezing

• Assemble ahead of time and refrigerate (covered) for up to 24 hours.

• To freeze: Assemble in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge before baking.

Leftover Storage & Reheating

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

• Reheat in the oven at 350 °F (175 °C) until warmed through or microwave individual servings.

Nutrition & Serving Suggestions

Approximate Nutrition (per serving, based on 8 servings)

• Calories: ~420 kcal

• Protein: ~22 g

• Carbohydrates: ~52 g

• Fat: ~15 g

• Fiber: ~4 g

• Calcium: High, thanks to the cheese content

What to Serve with Baked Ziti

• A crisp green salad with vinaigrette

• Roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or green beans

• Garlic bread or focaccia

• A side of marinated olives or cherry tomato salad for a Mediterranean flair

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use frozen pasta sauce or fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

Yes! You can substitute canned sauce with homemade marinara, or use about 6–7 cups of a blend of crushed and fresh tomatoes, simmered and seasoned to taste.

Can I skip ricotta cheese?

Yes. While ricotta adds creaminess and texture, you can leave it out or replace it with drained cottage cheese, mascarpone, or vegan ricotta.

My mozzarella didn’t melt fully—what went wrong?

Make sure the bake had enough covered time for internal heating, and uncover in the final 10 minutes. Broiling helps finish the cheese topping. Also, using part-skim mozzarella melts better than fresh mozzarella.

Is baked ziti gluten-free or dairy-free?

To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.
To make it dairy-free, use vegan ricotta and mozzarella substitutes. The result may differ slightly in texture but still taste delicious.

Why do I need to pre-cook the pasta?

Pre-cooking ensures the pasta is tender after baking. If not pre-cooked, the pasta would absorb too much sauce and become underdone or dry.

Can I make this vegan?

Yes! Use vegan pasta, dairy-free ricotta and mozzarella, and skip Parmesan or use nutritional yeast. You can also add lentils or plant-based sausage for texture and protein.

How can I reduce calories or fat?

Use part-skim ricotta and mozzarella, reduce total cheese quantity, and add extra vegetables to lighten the dish without losing satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

This Classic Baked Ziti with Mozzarella is a cozy, satisfying, and flexible pasta bake that brings everyone to the table. It’s rich in flavor, but simple enough for a weeknight dinner. With no pork, bacon, or wine, it’s friendly to a wide range of diets while still delivering that gooey, hearty, Italian-American flavor you crave. Serve it hot, enjoy the leftovers, and let it become one of your go-to dishes for comfort and connection.

🍽️ Did You Make This Recipe?

Let us know how your baked ziti turned out! Drop a comment below with your tweaks or tag your photo using #classicbakedziti. We love seeing your kitchen creations!