Baked Ziti

Why You’ll Love Baked Ziti Recipe

• It combines a rich meat sauce with the creamy tang of sour cream and a trio of cheeses, giving each bite satisfying depth.

• Layering the pasta, sauce, and cheeses creates texture and flavor contrast—from soft noodles to gooey cheese to savory sauce.

• It’s straightforward to prepare and versatile: easily scaled up, adapted for vegetarians, or made ahead for busy nights.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• dry ziti pasta

• onion, chopped

• lean ground beef

• spaghetti sauce (jarred)

• provolone cheese, sliced

• sour cream

• mozzarella cheese, shredded

• grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente (about 8 minutes). Drain.

2. Meanwhile, brown the ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the spaghetti sauce and simmer for about 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Butter a 9×13‑inch baking dish.

3. Spread half of the cooked ziti in the bottom of the prepared dish.

4. Top with the provolone cheese slices.

5. Dot or spread the sour cream over the provolone layer.

6. Add one half of the meat sauce over the sour cream. Then add the remaining pasta, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella, top with the remaining meat sauce, and finish with the grated Parmesan.

7. Bake in the preheated oven until the dish is heated through and the cheeses have melted—about 30 minutes.

Servings and timing

• Serves: 10

• Prep time: 15 minutes

• Cook (baking) time: 45 minutes

• Total time: approximately 1 hour

Variations

• Swap out the ground beef for ground Italian sausage (sweet or spicy) for an extra flavor punch.

• Make it vegetarian by omitting the meat and using sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach instead.

• Use ricotta cheese instead of sour cream for a more traditional Italian‑style bake.

• Add fresh herbs (like basil or parsley) either mixed in or sprinkled on top after baking for freshness.

• Sprinkle breadcrumbs mixed with a little olive oil and garlic on top before baking for a crisp‑topping variation.

Storage/Reheating

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

• To reheat, cover the dish (or individual portion) with foil and bake at 350 °F (175 °C) until heated through, about 15–20 minutes. Alternatively, reheat a single portion in the microwave for 2–3 minutes, stirring halfway through.

• For freezing: build the casserole as directed, but instead of baking, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2–3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at 350 °F until hot and bubbly (about 35–45 minutes).

FAQs

What type of pasta works best for this dish?

Ziti works very well because its tubular shape holds sauce and cheese nicely, but you could also use penne, rigatoni, or another short tubular pasta with good sauce‑holding capacity.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. You can assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate for a few hours (or overnight) before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the bake time if cold from the fridge.

Can I bake it in a different size dish?

Yes. The recipe uses a 9×13‑inch baking dish. If you use a slightly different size, the layering and bake time should remain about the same—but ensure the dish isn’t overly crowded or too shallow.

Is it possible to make a meatless version?

Absolutely. Simply omit the ground beef and replace it with sautéed vegetables or a plant‑based ground “meat” substitute. The rest of the layers remain unchanged.

What if I don’t have sour cream?

You can substitute ricotta cheese (about 1½ cups) for sour cream to achieve a similar creamy texture and mild tang.

How can I get a crispier top?

For a crisper cheese‑topped layer, you can remove the foil (if used) for the last 5–10 minutes of baking, or broil for 1–2 minutes at the end—watching closely to avoid burning.

Can I use homemade sauce instead of jarred spaghetti sauce?

Yes. Homemade tomato sauce works great. Just ensure that it’s sufficiently seasoned and slightly thickened so it doesn’t make the casserole too watery.

How do I adjust for larger or smaller groups?

The recipe yields 10 servings. For fewer servings, reduce everything proportionally (e.g., half the ingredients for ≈5 servings). For more, scale up while maintaining layering order and bake time roughly the same.

Will the pasta overcook if I bake too long?

If the pasta is cooked al dente (just tender), it should hold up well to the 30‑minute bake. If you worry about overcooking, you can reduce the boil time by a minute or two before baking.

Can I add extra vegetables?

Definitely. You can add sautéed mushrooms, diced zucchini, bell peppers, spinach, or eggplant between layers for extra nutrition and texture without compromising the comforting nature of the casserole.

Conclusion

This baked ziti recipe delivers comforting, satisfying flavor in every layer—from tender pasta and savory meat sauce to melty cheese and creamy sour cream. Whether you’re serving a family dinner, hosting guests, or prepping ahead for the week, this dish does the job with ease and delight. Give it a try and enjoy a warm, hearty pasta bake that’s sure to become a favorite.