Everyone raves about my easy baked ziti recipe! It’s perfect for weeknights in, bringing to a friend in need, potlucks, and beyond.
Just like anything in my life, I am learning that there is a rhythm for eating. Variety and moderation–so true of the Mediterranean diet–provides a certain quality and richness as we feed ourselves and others. This take on American-style baked ziti is a great example: all the comfort, but just a touch lighter. It’s perfect for a cozy night in or when you want to show someone you care.
Plus, this recipe could not be easier. Sweet Italian sausage is already beautifully seasoned, so you barely have to open your spice drawer! It’s also very versatile. If it weren’t for my kids, I would have chosen a spicy Italian sausage for that extra kick. You can also replace the sausage with ground beef and a good pinch of Italian seasoning. I know you’ll be making this on repeat!
Table of Contents
Ingredients and Substitutions
This easy baked ziti is very forgiving, so I gave lots of options here. You can also check out my vegetarian baked ziti if that’s more up your alley.
- Ziti pasta: Or swap with a similar short pasta, like rigatoni.
- Extra virgin olive oil: I love our rich and buttery Italian Nocellara with this recipe.
- Seasoning: The sausage is already seasoned, so you only need kosher salt!
- Yellow onion: Swap with white onion or shallots.
- Garlic: There’s no substitute for garlic in my opinion, but you can leave it out if you’re sensitive to it.
- Sausage: I used sweet Italian sausage with fennel, but pick the flavor you like. Spicy would also be delicious. Or use ground beef and Italian seasoning.
- Diced tomatoes: If you have whole tomatoes, crush them into chunks with your hands or in a food processor.
- Basil: Lifts the richness of the baked pasta, and adds an aromatic quality. Though not quite the same, parsley can work in a pinch.
- Parmesan: Adds a rich umami quality.
- Mozzarella: I like the rich milky texture of fresh mozzarella with this recipe, but you can also grate low-moisture mozzarella.
How to Make Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is simple: cook the pasta, make an easy sauce, top with cheese, and throw in your oven. Here are the steps:
- Get ready. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Finely chop 1 large yellow onion and two garlic cloves. Grate 1 cups worth of parmesan, and slice 8 ounces of mozzarella. If you’re working with sausage with casings, remove them.
- Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot or Dutch oven of salted water to a boil, then add 1 pound of ziti pasta. Remove from the heat about 3 minutes before the time indicated on the package. Drain.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high. Add the onion and saute until translucent and slightly golden in color, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sausage (1 1/2 pounds) and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is fully browned. Now add 2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes and about 10 torn basil leaves. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Layer. Return the cooked pasta to the pot, along with half of the parmesan and half of the sauce. Give things a good stir. If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the pasta to a large baking dish. Top with the remaining sauce and the mozzarella cheese slices.
- Bake, finish, and serve. Bake in the hot oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and add the remaining parmesan and basil. Enjoy!
What to Serve with Baked Ziti
For a simple weeknight in I would just toss mixed greens in my lemon vinaigrette and serve alongside. For a dinner party, here’s how I would build the menu:
- To toast: Italian negronis!
- Fresh salad: or make a big easy Italian salad.
- Alongside: You don’t need it, but no one has complained about warm garlic bread.
- For dessert: Keep it light with Sicilian Lemon Pudding.
Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 1/2 pounds Italian sausage with fennel, bulk sausage or casings removed
- 2 14 oz cans diced tomatoes
- 20 or more basil leaves, torn (divided)
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
Instructions
- Get ready. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot or Dutch oven of salted water to a boil, then add the pasta. Remove from the heat about 3 minutes before the time indicated on the pasta package. Drain.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute until translucent and slightly golden in color, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is fully browned. Now add the canned tomatoes and half the basil leaves. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Layer. Return the cooked pasta to the pot, along with half of the parmesan and half of the sauce. Give things a good stir. If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the pasta to a large baking dish. Top with the remaining sauce and the mozzarella cheese slices.
- Bake, finish, and serve. Bake in the hot oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and add the remaining parmesan and basil. Enjoy!
Notes
- Shop this recipe: Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients, including the olive oil used in this recipe.
- Storage:
- Cool completely before storing.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4 days.
- Freeze up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat covered at 350°F for 20–25 minutes, or microwave individual portions with a splash of water.
- You can certainly replace the sausage with ground beef. Make sure you add your favorite Italian spices for flavor.
- Grated bagged mozzarella will certainly work in place of fresh. Top the ziti with one cup of grated mozzarella (more or less to your liking).
Nutrition
Try Our Authentic Italian Olive Oil
Hand-picked and cold-extracted Extra Virgin Olive Oil from 100% Nocellara del Belice Sicilian olives.
*This post has recently been updated with new information for the readers’ benefit.
What happened? I followed the directions but the fresh mozzarella on top hardened. What did I do wrong? Other than that it tasted great
Oh, no! If you followed the directions, it’s hard to say what may have gone wrong for you. Perhaps it was slightly over-cooked? Or, it may just be the brand of mozzarella you used.
Delicious! Whole family loved it including my daughter who doesn’t like lasagna or spaghetti. Will be making this a lot. Thanks for the great recipe!
Yay! Glad we won her over :). Thanks, Mindy!
Oh my gosh, this was heavenly! I’ll never make spaghetti or lasagna again. This was easy and delicious. One of my new favorites, this will become a regular meal in our house. Thanks for such a fantastic recipe!
Elena, I am so happy to hear you like this baked ziti. It’s truly a simple and satisfying dinner. Thanks for stopping in to share.
I love that you didn’t skimp on the basil, this sounds so aromatic and delicious. Especially with the fresh mozzarella on top. Great recipe!
Oh the basil adds so much, Mary! Thank you so much for your kind comment.