Best & Easy Authentic Italian Baked Ziti Recipe

Picture this: Tender bites enrobed in a rich, tangy tomato sauce whose acidity and sweetness is balanced by the creamy ricotta cheese meld. At its heart, layers of that creamy ricotta cheese mix with the pasta, creating a soft, velvety texture that contrasts with the slightly crispy, golden-brown mozzarella cheese baked to perfection on top. Each forkful gives off a warmth of garlic, basil, and oregano, giving it that homemade baked pasta feel and taste – almost like a hug for your mouth and taste buds! 

How to Make Italian Baked Ziti

Basic Ingredients:

For the Pasta:

• 1 pound (about 450g) ziti pasta

For the Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 finely chopped medium onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 28 ounces (about 800g) canned whole tomatoes, crushed by hand
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning

For the Filling:

• 15 ounces (425g) ricotta cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup (about 50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup (about 10g) fresh basil, chopped (optional)

To Assemble:

• 8 ounces (225g) mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
• Additional grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Alternative Ingredients:

• Pasta – Whole wheat ziti, gluten-free ziti, or rigatoni pasta (they’re both tube-shaped pasta)
• Olive oil – Canola oil or sunflower oil 
• Onion – Shallots
• Garlic cloves – Garlic powder
• Ground beef – Ground turkey, chicken, or vegetarian ground substitute 
• Canned whole tomatoes – crushed tomatoes, tomato paste
• Pepper – Red pepper flakes
• Dried oregano or Italian seasoning – Fresh herbs like oregano or mixed italian herbs 
• Ricotta cheese – Cottage cheese, vegan ricotta
• Egg – Flax egg
• Parmesan cheese – Nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option 
• Fresh basil – Dried basil
• Mozzarella cheese – Vegan mozzarella or low-fat mozzarella 

Tip: Play around with different types of cheese based on your personal preference to create your new favorite recipe!

 

Step-by-Step Instructions for this Easy Baked Ziti Recipe

Step 1: First, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and set up the ziti pasta in a large pot of salted water and cook it until it’s al dente, once done, set aside.

Step 2: Take a large sauté pan and heat some olive oil over medium heat, then add onions and garlic and sauté it until it’s all translucent and you’re smelling the aroma. 

Step 3: Once translucent, stir in crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and oregano and let it simmer for about 20 minutes on low heat.

Step 4: Meanwhile, take a medium bowl and combine ricotta, beaten egg, Parmesan cheese, and basil together and mix it well using a wooden spoon.

Step 5: When done, take a large baking dish and spread a layer of the sauce from step 3 – just enough to cover the bottom.

Step 6:  Pour half of the cooked ziti with the remaining meat sauce in the pan together and layer half of the entire mixture over the entire baking dish. 

Step 7: Take the ricotta cheese mixture you prepared in step 4 and spread it over the pasta, then add the rest of the pasta to it. 

Step 8: Top it off with mozzarella slides and sprinkle some additional Parmesan cheese on top.

Step 9: Bake it in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until you see the cheese getting bubbly and golden brown – once done, take it out of the oven and let it cool off at room temperature for a few minutes.

Lastly, serve the baked ziti with some basil as garnish on top of it – enjoy this savory authentic Italian dish that’s perfect for special occasions for the whole family or a comfort food kind of day.

Expert Tips for The Best Baked Ziti Recipe

• When cooking the ziti, just cook it until it’s al dente – remember, it will continue cooking in the oven and you want to avoid it becoming overcooked and mushy.
• When layering the ingredients, start with the sauce at the bottom of the baking dish, so the pasta won’t stick to it.
• Be generous when you’re seasoning the ricotta filling because it can be pretty bland. To make it creamier and have it set better in the oven, you could even consider adding an egg when you’re mixing everything. 
• Don’t be afraid to play around with the herbs as this dish is perfect to experiment with! 
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

What to Serve with Italian Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is a very hearty and savory dish, so you want to serve sides that will compliment it. 

Sides:

• Garden salad
• Garlic bread
• Steamed vegetables 
• Caprese salad 
• Roasted mediterranean vegetables 
• Sauteed spinach or kale 

Appetizers: 

• Bruschetta
• Antipasto platter with olives, cured meats, cheeses, and marinated vegetables

Dessert:

• Panna Cotta
• Tiramisu 
• Italian rum cake
• Chocolate gelato

For wine, consider using a Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the flavors of the baked ziti. Alternatively, consider having a limoncello spritz for something more fun.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you have more questions about this recipe, comment below!

What part of Italy is baked Ziti from?

The word “ziti” comes from the Italian word “zite,” which means fiancee. So, a similar recipe is from the renaissance and it was originally served to nobles at ceremonies and celebrations, especially at southern Italian wedding receptions.

The way baked Ziti is made now is actually from the US though, so it’s more of an Italian-American adaptation from recipes like Pasta al forno. Immigrants from Italy, specifically southern Italy used other baked pasta dishes as an inspiration to make the now famous baked Ziti. The Italian-American community developed this dish with members coming specifically from Southern Italy using ingredients coming from Italy in the US. 

Does baked ziti exist in Italy?

Baked Ziti is actually not a traditional dish in Italy as it’s an Italian-American adaptation of the classic Italian pasta al forno (oven-baked pasta). Nonetheless, Italy has caught up and the recipe that was developed by Italian immigrants in the United States.

Is baked ziti easier than lasagna?

Lasagna and baked Ziti are actually cousins, though baked Ziti is actually easier to make because while it has layers, the layering isn’t as complicated. Not to mention, it’s much easier to make due to less ingredients and steps – making it the perfect choice for a cozy family dinner or date night.      

What pasta is closest to ziti?

If you don’t have ziti available, you can also use rigatoni as they both have the same pasta shape (tubular), though rigatoni is larger and has ridges, while ziti is smooth.

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