Baked Ziti

By Maria Lichty

Updated October 01, 2026

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Easy Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta

Baked pasta is always a favorite at our house, and this easy Baked Ziti is one of the recipes I turn to when I want a hearty dinner that everyone will enjoy. It has all of the flavors of classic lasagna—savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan—but it comes together with much less layering and fuss.

The pasta is tossed with the sausage, marinara, and a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, then everything goes into a 9×13-inch baking dish and gets topped with more mozzarella and Parmesan. After a short time in the oven, the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges get deliciously golden.

This baked ziti is a great weeknight dinner, but it is also perfect for Sunday dinner, feeding a crowd, taking to a friend, or making ahead for a busy day. Serve it with garlic bread and a simple salad and you have a dinner everyone will love.

Ingredients (with Helpful Notes)

You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are a few notes to keep in mind before you get started.

• Ziti or penne: Ziti is traditional, but penne works just as well. Cook the pasta just until al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven. You can also use gluten-free pasta if needed.
• Olive oil: You’ll use a little for cooking the sausage and a little to keep the cooked pasta from sticking together.
• Italian sausage: Italian sausage gives the baked ziti lots of savory flavor. I usually use mild Italian sausage, but hot Italian sausage works if you like a little heat.
• Marinara sauce: Use your favorite marinara sauce. My homemade Easy Marinara Sauce is my favorite, but a good store-bought marinara works too.
• Ricotta cheese: Ricotta makes the baked ziti creamy and adds those delicious pockets of cheesy goodness throughout the pasta. I recommend whole-milk ricotta for the creamiest texture.
• Egg: The egg helps bind the ricotta mixture so it holds together nicely as the ziti bakes.
• Mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella gives you that classic melty, cheesy topping. Freshly shredded mozzarella melts especially well.
• Parmesan cheese: Parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor and helps create a golden top.
• Fresh basil: Fresh basil adds a pop of freshness and is the perfect finishing touch.
• Italian seasoning: A little dried Italian seasoning adds extra herb flavor to the cheese mixture.
• Crushed red pepper flakes: Optional, but I like adding a pinch for a little heat.

How to Make Baked Ziti

• Cook the pasta. Cook the ziti in a large pot of salted water until just al dente. Don’t overcook it because the pasta will continue cooking in the oven. Drain well and toss with a little olive oil to keep it from sticking.
  

• Brown the sausage. While the pasta is cooking, brown the Italian sausage in a large skillet, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Once it’s cooked through, drain any excess grease.

• Make the ricotta mixture. In a bowl, stir together the ricotta, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season with salt and black pepper.

• Bring everything together. Add the sausage, marinara sauce, and ricotta mixture to the cooked pasta. Gently stir until everything is coated and combined.

• Assemble the baked ziti. Transfer the pasta to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the top.

• Bake until bubbly. Bake at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Let the baked ziti rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil and serve!

How to Store and Reheat Baked Ziti

• Make ahead: You can assemble the baked ziti up to 2 days ahead of time. Cover the unbaked ziti tightly and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time since the pasta will be cold.
• In the refrigerator: Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• In the freezer: Baked ziti freezes really well. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight freezer-safe container or wrap the baking dish tightly. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• To reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot. You can also cover the baking dish with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.

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Pasta

Baked Ziti

This easy Baked Ziti is made with ziti pasta, Italian sausage, marinara sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. It makes a big 9×13-inch pan and is perfect for family dinner, feeding a crowd, or making ahead.

4.45 from 287 votes

PrintSave RecipeReview

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Cuisine Italian

Servings 10

Equipment

• 9 x 13 Baking Dish
• Large Pot
• Large Skillet

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 16 oz ziti or penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for drizzling over pasta
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 32 oz marinara sauce
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
• 3/4 cups shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Dash of crushed red pepper flakes, optional
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
• For garnish: chopped basil, if desired

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Use a colander to drain well. Drizzle pasta with a little olive oil and stir so it doesn’t stick together. Pour the pasta into a large bowl and set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a large sauté pan, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until it is no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes. Discard the excess fat and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta, egg, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, basil, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes, if using. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the ricotta mixture to the pasta. Add the marinara sauce, cooked sausage, and stir until combined, stirring gently to not break up the pasta noodles.
• Pour the pasta into the prepared pan and top with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until cheese is golden brown and the pasta is bubbly. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired, and serve warm.

Notes

• Pasta: You can use ziti or penne for this recipe. Cook the pasta just until al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven.
• Sausage: I use mild Italian sausage, but hot Italian sausage can be used if you like a little heat.
• Make ahead: Assemble the baked ziti up to 2 days ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
• Freezing: Baked ziti can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Storage: Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 528kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Calcium: 388mg, Iron: 3mg

Keywords baked pasta, baked ziti, pasta, sausage

Have you tried this recipe?

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Baked Ziti Variations

This recipe is easy to customize depending on what you have on hand.

• Make it vegetarian: Leave out the sausage and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers.
• Make it spicy: Use hot Italian sausage and add extra crushed red pepper flakes.
• Use ground beef: Substitute lean ground beef for the Italian sausage.
• Use ground turkey: Ground turkey works well if you prefer a lighter meat option.
• Change the pasta: Penne, rigatoni, or another short pasta can be used in place of ziti.
• Make it extra cheesy: Add a little extra mozzarella to the top before baking.

What to Serve with Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is a hearty meal on its own, but I love serving it with a few simple sides.

• Garlic Bread
• Simple Arugula Salad
• Easy Green Salad
• Simple Kale Salad
• Caesar Salad
• Caprese Salad
• Roasted Broccoli
• Simple Skillet Green Beans
• Bruschetta

And don’t forget dessert! A batch of cookies or brownies makes the perfect finish to an Italian dinner.

More Pasta Recipes

If you love easy, comforting pasta dinners, here are a few more recipes to try:

• Baked Spaghetti
• Lasagna
• Stuffed Shells
• Pasta Primavera
• Butternut Squash Baked Ziti
• Ravioli Lasagna