If you’re looking for a comforting dinner that’s easy to make and totally irresistible, Baked Ziti with Ricotta is the answer. This crowd-pleasing casserole layers tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and a melty trio of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan. It’s everything you love about baked pasta—saucy, cheesy, and hearty enough to satisfy the whole family.
The best part? You can assemble it ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready, making it perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend meals. Leftovers reheat beautifully, so there’s no chance this will go to waste!
Why You’ll Love This Baked Ziti with Ricotta
Classic Comfort, Simple Steps
This baked ziti is all about big flavor with minimal effort. It uses everyday ingredients—ziti pasta, ground beef, marinara, and three cheeses—layered together for a dinner that’s both classic and cozy. Make it ahead, swap in your favorite protein or veggies, and serve with a salad or breadsticks for a complete meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ziti pasta (or penne/rigatoni)
- Lean ground beef
- Onion & garlic
- Italian seasoning, salt, pepper
- Marinara sauce & crushed tomatoes
- Mozzarella cheese
- Ricotta cheese
- Parmesan cheese
You don’t always need ground beef or chicken to create a dinner that feels incredibly decadent and soul-warming; putting together a cheese-loaded spinach artichoke pasta bake delivers a massive hit of crowd-pleasing flavor that even the biggest meat-lovers will obsess over.
Easy Variations
- Use ground turkey, chicken, sausage, or pork.
- Add sautéed veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or peppers.
- Try alfredo sauce for a creamy twist.
While standard marinara or heavy alfredo dishes are always a reliable choice, combining the best of both worlds for a luxurious cream sauce in this comforting creamy tomato tortellini gives your next meatless Monday a sophisticated, decadent upgrade.
How to Make Baked Ziti with Ricotta
- Cook the Pasta: Boil ziti until just al dente.
- Make the Sauce: Sauté ground beef and onion, then add garlic, seasoning, marinara, and tomatoes. Simmer, then stir in cooked pasta.
- Layer: In a casserole dish, layer half the pasta, dollops of ricotta, and a sprinkle of mozzarella and parmesan. Repeat with the rest.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes. Uncover and bake 10–15 minutes more, until golden and bubbly.
Pro Tips
- Cook the pasta just until al dente—it’ll finish in the oven.
- Add extra cheese on top and broil for a crispy, cheesy crust.
- Add fresh basil or thyme for even more flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Garlic breadsticks or a crisp Caesar salad
- Classic tiramisu or mascarpone desserts for a sweet finish
If you’ve already seared up a juicy steak or have a loaf of crusty bread fresh out of the oven and need a decadent main or side to round out the table, serving this rich creamy mushroom gnocchi ensures you have the ultimate garlic-and-parm pan sauce ready for dipping and scraping clean.
Storage & Meal Prep
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Assemble but don’t bake; freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and bake as usual.
- Reheat: Microwave or bake until hot and bubbly.
If you have leftover rotisserie chicken in the fridge and are totally bored of making basic wraps, shredding it up and stuffing it into a big batch of these cheesy stuffed shells is a brilliant hack to transform leftovers into an entirely new, decadent pasta casserole.
FAQ
Yes—try cottage cheese, mascarpone, or just extra mozzarella if you prefer.
Nope! Penne or rigatoni work perfectly.
Absolutely—just skip the meat or add your favorite roasted veggies.
Yes—assemble, freeze, then thaw and bake for fresh-from-the-oven comfort.
Top BBQ & Kitchen Picks
Tested, loved and recommended by our team ✨
Baked Ziti with Ricotta
This Baked Ziti with Ricotta is the definition of comfort food—cheesy, saucy, and totally satisfying. Layers of tender pasta, hearty meat sauce, and a trio of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan make it perfect for family dinners or make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 32 oz marinara sauce
- 14.5 oz crushed tomatoes
- 16 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta to al dente according to package directions.
- Brown ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes. Simmer briefly, then mix in the cooked pasta.
- In a greased casserole dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, half the ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan. Repeat layers with the remaining ingredients.
- Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
This dish is great for meal prep. Assemble in advance and refrigerate or freeze before baking. Swap in veggies or different proteins to mix it up. Leftovers reheat well for days!
Nutrition Information
Serving Size 1 portionAmount Per Serving Calories 540Total Fat 26gSaturated Fat 13gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 80mgSodium 720mgCarbohydrates 48gFiber 3gSugar 7gProtein 31g
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