Quick & Cozy Weeknight Baked Ziti: Your Family’s New Favorite!

Weeknight baked ziti is the perfect dish for families needing a quick and tasty dinner.

This pasta meal has been loved for years because it fills you up and brings everyone together at the table.

With its Italian roots, this hearty casserole mixes bold flavors with simple ingredients that everyone can enjoy.

One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to make and change based on what you have in your kitchen.

You can add your favorite meats, veggies, or cheeses to make it your own special creation.

Creamy and cheesy, weeknight baked ziti turns an ordinary evening into something special around the dinner table.

Helpful Notes For Weeknight Baked Ziti

• Optimize Pasta Cooking: Slightly undercook pasta during boiling since it will continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy texture and ensuring perfect al dente consistency.
• Drain Fat Thoroughly: Remove excess grease from browned meat to prevent oily, heavy sauce and maintain a clean, rich flavor profile in your baked ziti.
• Control Cream Thickness: Whisk cornstarch carefully into heavy cream and simmer slowly to create a smooth, thickened base that binds ingredients without lumps or separation.
• Cheese Layer Strategy: Distribute cheese evenly across the top and use a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan for a golden, crispy crust with complex, melted cheese flavor.
• Resting Matters: Allow ziti to rest 10 minutes after baking to help layers set, making serving easier and allowing flavors to meld together beautifully.

How To Store And Reheat Weeknight Baked Ziti

• Refrigerate: Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label the container with the date for easy tracking.
• Reheat Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Cover with foil and warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through.
• Microwave Option: Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until steaming hot. Add a splash of water to prevent drying out.

Best Foods With Weeknight Baked Ziti

• Pairing Wine with Baked Ziti: Choose a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that cuts through the rich, creamy cheese and complements the robust meat sauce.
• Herb-Infused Garlic Bread: Create a crispy, aromatic side that echoes the Italian seasoning in the ziti, using fresh basil, oregano, and roasted garlic to enhance the main dish's flavors.
• Fresh Citrus Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to contrast the heavy, cheesy pasta and cleanse the palate between bites, adding a bright, zesty counterpoint.
• Roasted Vegetable Medley: Toss seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant with olive oil and herbs, providing a colorful and nutritious accompaniment that balances the richness of the baked ziti.

Ways To Change Up Weeknight Baked Ziti

• Vegetarian Ziti: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms, using vegetable marinara sauce for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free ziti or penne, ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of pasta, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining rich, creamy flavors.
• Spicy Mexican-Inspired Variation: Incorporate chorizo, use pepper jack cheese, add diced green chiles, and sprinkle cumin into the sauce for a southwestern kick.

Weeknight Baked Ziti Common Questions

• What ingredients make this baked ziti different from traditional recipes?

This recipe uses cornstarch to thicken heavy cream, creating a richer and creamier sauce. It also incorporates both ground beef and Italian seasonings for deeper flavor complexity.

• Can I substitute the meat in this recipe?

Yes, you can easily swap ground beef with ground turkey, Italian sausage, or even make a vegetarian version using plant-based crumbles or extra vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms.

• How do I prevent the pasta from becoming mushy?

Cook the pasta just shy of al dente (about 5-6 minutes) before baking. The pasta will continue cooking in the oven, so slightly undercooking initially helps maintain the right texture in the final dish.

• Is this recipe good for making ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the entire dish, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the initial baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

Why Weeknight Baked Ziti Is A Hit

• Boost Comfort with Quick Weeknight Meal: Perfect for busy families needing a delicious dinner that doesn't require complex cooking skills.
• Customize Flavor Easily: Switch ground beef with sausage or add vegetables to match personal taste preferences without changing core recipe technique.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Taste: Requires simple ingredients and straightforward steps, allowing even novice cooks to create a restaurant-quality pasta dish in under an hour.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare entire casserole in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready – ideal for meal planning and reducing evening cooking stress.

Weeknight Baked Ziti Ingredient List

• Ziti, Pasta: Classic Italian pasta shape perfect for casseroles, holds sauce well, choose a high-quality brand.

• Ground Beef, Italian Sausage: Rich protein base for the sauce, choose lean meat for less grease.

• Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy and tangy cheese blend for texture and depth, use freshly grated for best flavor.

• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato sauce with Italian herbs, select a high-quality jarred or homemade version.

• Eggs, Italian Seasoning, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt, Pepper: Adds flavor complexity and helps bind ingredients, adjust spice level to preference.

• Heavy Cream, Cornstarch: Creates a smooth, rich sauce base, helps thicken the mixture without lumps.

• Nonstick Cooking Spray, Aluminum Foil: Prevents sticking and helps with even cooking, standard kitchen tools for baking.

Steps To Make Weeknight Baked Ziti

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven And Boil Pasta

Crank the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Grab a large pot, fill with water, and add a generous pinch of salt.

Bring water to a rolling boil and toss in pasta.

Cook pasta until it’s just shy of perfectly done, about 5-6 minutes.

Drain pasta and set aside.

Step 2: Create A Flavor-Packed Meat Sauce

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Toss in ground beef or sausage and break it into crumbly pieces while cooking.

Drain off any excess fat if needed.

• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Marinara sauce

Let the sauce simmer and develop rich flavors for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Cheese Blend

• Ricotta cheese
• Beaten eggs
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese

Mix until everything is beautifully blended.

Step 4: Craft A Velvety Cream Base

Grab a saucepan and whisk cornstarch into heavy cream.

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens slightly.

Remove from heat.

Fold in the ricotta cheese mixture and a cup of marinara sauce.

Step 5: Layer And Assemble The Ziti

Mix drained pasta with the creamy ricotta sauce.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Transfer to the prepared baking dish.

Pour remaining marinara sauce over the top.

Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Cover dish with foil (sprayed with nonstick spray).

Bake for 30 minutes.

Remove foil and continue baking for another 20 minutes.

Look for golden, bubbly cheese on top.

Step 7: Serve And Savor

Let the ziti rest for 10 minutes.

Slice, serve, and enjoy your incredible creation!

Delicious Weeknight Baked Ziti Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting weeknight Baked Ziti brings Italian-American pasta magic straight to dinner tables with layers of melted cheese and hearty marinara sauce. Pasta lovers will savor each forkful of this simple, satisfying casserole that delivers classic flavors in one delicious dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 pound (1 lb) lean ground beef or mild Italian sausage
• 1 pound (1 lb) dry ziti pasta
• 1 pound (1 lb) ricotta cheese

Sauce and Dairy:

• 4 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, chopped into ¼-inch cubes
• 1 ½ cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

Seasonings and Spices:

• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cooking environment by heating the oven to 375°F and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light layer of cooking spray.
2. Cook pasta in a generously salted pot of water until it reaches a tender but firm consistency, approximately 5-6 minutes. Carefully drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, brown the meat over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles. Eliminate excess fat if necessary.
4. Enhance the meat with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, then incorporate marinara sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer and develop flavors for 10 minutes.
5. Create a creamy cheese blend by whisking ricotta with eggs, combining thoroughly with Parmesan and mozzarella in a separate mixing bowl.
6. Transform heavy cream into a luscious base by whisking cornstarch and heating until it slightly thickens. Remove from heat and fold in the ricotta mixture and additional marinara sauce.
7. Gently combine the drained pasta with the rich cream sauce, seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the taste profile.
8. Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly and topping with remaining marinara sauce.
9. Generously sprinkle the remaining cheese varieties across the surface, ensuring complete coverage.
10. Shield the dish with foil (lightly coated with nonstick spray) and bake for 30 minutes.
11. Uncover and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
12. Allow the ziti to rest for 10 minutes before serving, which helps the dish set and intensifies its flavors.

Notes

• Perfectly time pasta cooking to achieve ideal texture by removing from boiling water just before fully cooked, ensuring it won’t become mushy during baking.
• Control meat sauce’s fat content by draining excess grease from ground beef or sausage, maintaining a lighter, less greasy final dish.
• Enhance ricotta mixture’s creaminess by using room temperature eggs and gently folding ingredients to maintain a smooth, light consistency.
• Customize the

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 660
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg