Quick & Flavorful Pioneer Woman Baked Ziti Recipe You’ll Love

Ziti, a classic comfort food, transforms ordinary ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece that promises warmth and satisfaction.

Our Pioneer Woman baked ziti brings together rich, robust flavors that dance across your palate with each delectable bite.

Layers of tender pasta intermingle with savory meats and melted cheese, creating a culinary symphony that speaks to the heart of home cooking.

Family-style dishes like this always spark conversation and draw people closer around the dinner table.

Robust seasonings and carefully selected ingredients elevate this recipe from simple to spectacular.

Melted cheese stretches invitingly, while the pasta underneath holds a promise of pure deliciousness.

Comfort food rarely gets more appealing than this crowd-pleasing meal that transforms an ordinary evening into a memorable dining experience: dive in and savor every single bite.

What You Need for Pioneer Woman’s Baked Ziti

• Ground Beef: Rich protein base with deep, hearty flavor for the dish.
• Italian Sausage: Adds robust, spicy undertones to enhance the meat mixture.

• Ziti Pasta: Classic tubular pasta perfect for holding sauce and cheese.
• Tomato Sauce: Provides smooth, tangy foundation for the entire dish.
• Whole Tomatoes: Adds chunky texture and fresh tomato complexity.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends traditional herbs for authentic Italian flavor profile.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and warm spiciness.
• Salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall taste.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle, warm spice to complement other ingredients.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty cheese that creates beautiful stretchy texture.
• Ricotta Cheese: Soft, mild cheese that adds rich, smooth consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, aged cheese bringing deep, nutty undertones.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb for garnishing and light aromatic finish.
• Eggs: Binding agent to help hold cheese mixture together.
• Olive Oil: Provides smooth base for sautéing vegetables.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient adding depth and traditional Italian essence.
• Onion: Sweet, savory base that creates foundational flavor.

How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Baked Ziti

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C), getting ready for some serious comfort food magic.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

• Minced garlic
• Diced onion

Cook until they turn soft and release their delicious fragrance.

Step 3: Brown the Meats

Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot. Cook until they’re beautifully browned and crispy. Drain any extra fat to keep things light.

Step 4: Create the Sauce Base

• 2 cans of tomato sauce
• 1 can of whole tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper

Let this simmer for 25-30 minutes. Remove 3-of sauce and let it cool down.

Step 5: Prepare the Pasta

Boil a large pot of salted water. Toss in ziti pasta and cook until just before al dente. You want it to have a slight bite.

Step 6: Mix the Cheese Blend

• Grated mozzarella
• Ricotta cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Chopped parsley
• 2 eggs
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Mix until everything is well incorporated.

Step 7: Combine Pasta and Cheese

Drain the pasta and quickly cool it under cold water. Fold the pasta into the cheese mixture, then gently mix in the cooled sauce.

Step 8: Layer and Bake the Masterpiece

• Spread half the pasta mixture
• Top with half the remaining sauce
• Sprinkle half the mozzarella

Repeat the layers one more time.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Let it rest for 5 minutes after baking.

Garnish with extra parsley before serving.

Tip: Serve with a crisp green salad and crusty bread for a complete meal that’ll make everyone at the table happy!

Pro Tips for Pioneer Woman’s Baked Ziti

• Boost Sauce Richness: Swirl in a glug of robust red wine while simmering to deepen tomato sauce complexity.
• Multiply Cheese Layers: Strategically place provolone slices between mozzarella for extra creamy, melty indulgence.
• Prevent Pasta Mushiness: Cook ziti slightly firmer than al dente since baking continues the cooking process.
• Thicken Sauce Quickly: Stir tomato paste into simmering sauce for a more concentrated, velvety texture.
• Brighten Final Presentation: Scatter freshly torn basil leaves across the hot ziti just before serving for a vibrant, aromatic finish.

How to Store Pioneer Woman’s Baked Ziti

• Vacuum Seal: Protect your Baked Ziti from freezer burn and flavor loss by using a vacuum sealer. Remove all air, seal in individual portions, and store flat in the freezer for maximum space efficiency and preservation of taste and texture.
• Portion Containers: Divide leftover Baked Ziti into single-serving microwave-safe containers for easy reheating and grab-and-go lunches. Label each container with the date and contents to track freshness and minimize food waste.
• Glass Storage: Choose high-quality glass containers with tight-fitting lids for refrigerating or freezing. Glass prevents odor absorption, maintains food quality, and allows direct microwave reheating without transferring to another dish.

Delicious Variations of Pioneer Woman’s Baked Ziti

• Vegetable Fusion Ziti: Replace ground beef and sausage with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms, creating a hearty vegetarian version packed with colorful vegetables and robust flavors.
• Spicy Mediterranean Ziti: Add crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and fresh spinach to introduce a Greek-inspired profile with tangy and herbaceous notes that elevate the traditional recipe.
• Creamy Chicken Ziti: Substitute beef and sausage with shredded rotisserie chicken, incorporating cream cheese into the sauce for a richer, smoother texture that adds luxurious depth to the classic dish.
• Seafood Ziti Delight: Mix in sautéed shrimp and crab meat, using white wine to deglaze the pan and adding fresh basil for a coastal-inspired version that brings ocean flavors to the traditional pasta bake.

Pioneer Woman’s Baked Ziti: A Cheesy, Comforting Pasta Dish

Baked ziti emerges as culinary poetry, blending robust Italian flavors into one magnificent dish.

Hearty meats, creamy cheeses, and robust tomato sauce create luxurious comfort on each forkful.

Pasta transforms into a symphony of textures and tastes, promising satisfaction with every bite.

Pioneer Woman’s recipe brings authentic Italian tradition directly to home kitchens across America.

Complex layers of ingredients meld together, creating memorable dining experiences that celebrate family and heritage.

Passionate cooks will discover pure magic in this classic recipe – so dive in, share the deliciousness, recommend to friends, and let fellow food enthusiasts savor this incredible creation.

What Makes Pioneer Woman’s Baked Ziti a Perfect Family Meal

• Savor Flavor-Packed Comfort: This ziti delivers an explosion of rich, hearty flavors from perfectly browned meats, aromatic garlic, and robust tomato sauce that'll make your taste buds dance with joy.
• Enjoy Effortless Crowd-Pleasing Goodness: With simple layering techniques and straightforward cooking steps, this recipe transforms basic ingredients into a stunning pasta dish that impresses everyone at the table without requiring professional chef skills.
• Experience Delightful Cheese Heaven: The incredible blend of mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan creates a creamy, melty texture that blankets each pasta bite with luxurious, gooey deliciousness that'll have people asking for seconds.
• Celebrate Versatile Meal Magic: Whether you're hosting a family dinner, potluck, or weekend gathering, this baked ziti works perfectly as a main course that satisfies meat lovers, cheese enthusiasts, and pasta fans with its universal appeal.

Pioneer Woman Baked Ziti Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Pioneer Woman Baked Ziti brings Italian-American comfort to dinner tables with rich layers of pasta, ground beef, and melted cheeses. Creamy marinara and bubbling mozzarella create a satisfying meal that brings families together around one delicious dish.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) of Ziti or Mostaccioli
• 1 pound (454 grams) of Ground Beef
• 1 pound (454 grams) of Italian Sausage
• 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) of Mozzarella, Grated
• One 15-ounce tub (425 grams) of Whole-Milk Ricotta
• ½ cup (50 grams) of Grated Parmesan

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• Two 14.5-ounce cans (Approx. 822 grams) of Tomato Sauce or Marinara Sauce
• One 28-ounce can (794 grams) of Whole Tomatoes with Juice
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of Italian Seasoning
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) of Red Pepper Flakes
• Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste

Preparation Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of Olive Oil
• 3 cloves of Garlic, Minced
• 1 large Onion, Diced
• 2 Eggs
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of Chopped Fresh Parsley, plus more for sprinkling

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius), ensuring optimal temperature for baking ziti.
2. In a large pot, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat, then sauté minced garlic and diced onions until they become soft and fragrant.
3. Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot, browning the meats thoroughly and carefully draining any excess fat to prevent greasiness.
4. Pour in tomato sauce, whole tomatoes with their juice, sprinkle Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper; simmer the sauce for 25-30 minutes to develop rich flavors, then set aside 3-4 cups to cool.
5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then cook ziti pasta until it reaches just before al dente, maintaining a slight firmness.
6. Create the cheese blend by mixing grated mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, chopped parsley, eggs, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl.
7. Drain pasta and quickly rinse with cold water to stop cooking; fold pasta into the cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
8. Spread half the pasta-cheese mixture in a baking dish, cover with half the reserved sauce and mozzarella cheese; repeat layering process.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden brown; let rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with additional fresh parsley and serving.

Notes

• Combine ground beef and Italian sausage for a robust meat base that elevates the traditional ziti flavor profile.
• Slightly undercook pasta to prevent mushiness during the final baking stage, maintaining perfect al dente texture.
• Layer cheeses generously, creating a creamy, melted blanket that binds all ingredients together deliciously.
• Fresh parsley adds a vibrant, herbal brightness that cuts through the rich, meaty sauce and cheesy goodness.
• Freeze individual portions for convenient, restaurant-quality meals during hectic weeknights or busy weeks.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 700 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 45 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg