Easy Alton Brown Baked Ziti Recipe: The Cheesy Comfort Classic

Zesty baked ziti transforms ordinary pasta into a mouthwatering comfort feast that promises to revolutionize your dinner routine.

This classic Italian-American dish combines robust flavors and hearty ingredients in a single skillet.

Creamy ricotta melts seamlessly with tangy tomato sauce, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Perfectly seasoned Italian sausage adds depth and richness to every single bite.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this crowd-pleasing recipe comes together without complicated preparation techniques.

Families gather around the table, eager to dive into this warm, inviting casserole that feels like a culinary hug.

Brown’s signature approach ensures maximum flavor with minimal kitchen effort: taste the magic.

What Makes Alton Brown’s Baked Ziti a Flavorful Family Favorite

• Dive into Hearty Comfort: This ziti delivers a warm, satisfying meal packed with rich Italian flavors that hug your taste buds and make you feel instantly at home.
• Quick and Foolproof Preparation: The recipe requires minimal cooking skills, taking just 45 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious dinner without complicated techniques.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Multiple cheese varieties (ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan) create a creamy, melty texture that adds luxurious depth and indulgent layers to every single bite of this classic pasta dish.
• One-Pan Wonder: By using a single baking dish and simple layering method, this ziti minimizes kitchen cleanup while maximizing flavor, allowing you to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without extensive washing up afterward.

What You’ll Need for Alton Brown’s Baked Ziti

• Ziti Pasta: A classic tube-shaped pasta perfect for baked dishes, holds sauce well and provides hearty texture.

• Ground Sausage: Adds rich, savory flavor and protein to the dish, choose a mild or spicy variety based on preference.
• Onion: Provides a sweet, aromatic base for the sauce, enhances overall depth of flavor.

• Pasta Sauce: Premade sauce that adds quick flavor and moisture to the dish, select a high-quality brand.
• Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes that contribute brightness and acidity to the sauce.
• Water: Helps to thin and blend the sauce, creates perfect consistency.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs that adds authentic Italian flavor profile.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy cheese that creates a smooth, rich layer between pasta, provides soft texture.
• Egg: Binds the cheese mixture together, helps create a cohesive filling.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds color and light, fresh flavor to cheese mixture.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, creates stretchy, golden top layer.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty flavor and helps create crispy cheese crust.

How to Prepare Alton Brown’s Baked Ziti

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.

Step 2: Cook the Meat and Onions

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat
• Sauté 1 diced onion and ground sausage
• Crumble the sausage while cooking
• Drain excess fat completely

Step 3: Create the Sauce Base

• Add to the skillet: Pasta sauce, water, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning
• Simmer for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens

Step 4: Prepare the Pasta

• Boil ziti in salted water until tender (follow package instructions)
• Drain and rinse with cold water

Step 5: Mix the Cheese Blend

• Ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• Chopped parsley
• Shredded mozzarella
• Grated parmesan

Step 6: Layer the Casserole

• Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish
• Spread of sauce on the bottom
• Add half the ziti
• Spread cheese mixture
• Pour additional sauce

Step 7: Bake and Serve

• Top with remaining ziti and sauce
• Sprinkle extra cheese on top
• Bake for 25-30 minutes
• Remove when golden and puffy
• Let rest for 10 minutes before serving

Pro Tips for Alton Brown’s Baked Ziti

• Chill and Delay: Prepare the dish ahead of time and refrigerate for at least an hour before baking.
• Divide and Conquer: Split the mixture between two 9-inch baking dishes, freezing one for later enjoyment.
• Season Smartly: Enhance ground meat sauce with extra seasonings, salt, and a splash of olive oil.
• Cook Carefully: Undercook pasta slightly since it continues baking in the oven.
• Garnish Generously: Sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or basil on top just before serving.

How to Store Alton Brown’s Baked Ziti

• Vacuum Sealing: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer to remove all air from the container. This method prevents freezer burn and preserves the ziti's texture and flavor for up to 3 months, making it perfect for meal preppers and busy home cooks.
• Portion Packaging: Divide leftover ziti into individual serving sizes before storing. Wrap each portion in freezer-safe wrap or place in small containers, allowing easy reheating of just the amount you want without thawing the entire batch.
• Glass Container Storage: Store baked ziti in clear glass containers with airtight lids for maximum flavor retention. Glass prevents odor absorption and allows you to see exactly what's inside, making meal planning and leftover tracking a breeze.

Delicious Variations of Alton Brown’s Baked Ziti

• Mediterranean Veggie Ziti: Swap sausage with roasted zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers. Add crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired flavor profile that brings vibrant vegetables into the classic pasta dish.
• Spicy Southwestern Ziti: Replace Italian sausage with ground beef seasoned with chili powder and cumin. Incorporate black beans, corn, and jalapeños to create a zesty southwestern version with bold, hearty flavors.
• Creamy Chicken Ziti: Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of sausage. Mix in cream cheese with ricotta for extra richness and garnish with fresh basil leaves to elevate the protein-packed casserole.
• Seafood Ziti Bake: Substitute sausage with succulent shrimp and crab meat. Enhance the sauce with white wine and fresh garlic, then sprinkle with parsley for a luxurious coastal-inspired pasta dish that feels elegant and indulgent.

A Cheesy, Comforting Dish with Alton Brown’s Baked Ziti

Baked ziti emerges as culinary magic from Alton Brown’s kitchen, blending rich Italian traditions with modern comfort.

Layers of pasta, cheese, and savory sauce create a symphony of flavors that dance across palates.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully crafted bite, promising warmth and satisfaction.

Home cooks can experience restaurant-quality meals without complex techniques or expensive ingredients.

Mediterranean comfort reaches new heights with this accessible recipe that celebrates simplicity and depth.

Passionate food enthusiasts: dive into this recipe, snap your creation, share the deliciousness on social media, and spread ziti love with friends who crave authentic, hearty meals.

Alton Brown Baked Ziti Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s baked ziti brings Southern comfort to Italian pasta perfection. Layers of hearty pasta, rich marinara, and melted cheeses create a soul-warming dish that invites you to savor each comforting, cheesy bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) Italian sausage
• 1 egg

Cheese:

• 15 ounces (425 grams) ricotta cheese
• 2 cups (226 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup (28 grams) Parmesan cheese, shredded

Vegetables and Other Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 28 ounces (794 grams) pasta sauce or marinara sauce
• 14 ounces (397 grams) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 16 ounces (454 grams) ziti
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• ½ cup (118 milliliters) water
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles. Add diced onions and sauté until the meat is fully cooked and onions are translucent.
3. Drain excess fat from the meat and onion mixture to reduce greasiness.
4. Pour pasta sauce, water, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning into the skillet. Reduce heat and allow the mixture to simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and develops rich flavors.
5. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water to stop the cooking process.
7. In a medium mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, chopped fresh parsley, shredded mozzarella, and grated parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
8. Grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) baking dish and spread approximately 1 cup of the prepared sauce evenly across the bottom.
9. Layer half of the cooked ziti pasta over the sauce, followed by spreading the ricotta cheese mixture.
10. Pour another layer of sauce over the ricotta, then add the remaining ziti pasta.
11. Top the casserole with the remaining sauce and sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese for extra coverage.
12. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and develops a golden-brown color.
13. Remove from the oven and let the ziti casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.

Notes

• Use a large saute pan to prevent the sauce from boiling over.
• Keep pasta slightly undercooked since it will continue cooking in the oven.
• Enhance ground meat sauce with extra seasonings and a splash of olive oil.
• Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil just before serving.
• Prepare baked ziti ahead by assembling and refrigerating for at least an hour, adding 5-10 minutes to baking time if cold.
• Divide the recipe between two 9-inch baking dishes, freezing one portion for later enjoyment after overnight thawing.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 485 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg