Short Description
Looking for a warm, comforting meal that’s loaded with cheesy goodness? This Ultimate Creamy Cheesy Baked Ziti is your answer! With layers of tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, creamy cheese, and a perfectly crispy top, it’s the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying a cozy dinner at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
This baked ziti is pure comfort in a dish. It’s a perfect balance of creamy, cheesy, and savory flavors with a texture that’s just divine. The pasta is perfectly cooked, coated in a rich, flavorful marinara sauce, and smothered with a creamy cheese mixture that melts in your mouth. It’s easy to make, can be prepped ahead of time, and the best part—it’s guaranteed to be a hit with everyone at the table. If you love cheesy pasta dishes, this will quickly become your go-to recipe!
Ingredients
This recipe uses a few key ingredients to create its creamy, cheesy layers, but don’t worry, I’ll list the full ingredient list below. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ziti pasta
- Marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Heavy cream
- Ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- Onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning
For the complete ingredient list and measurements, just scroll down to the bottom!
Directions
Step 1: Cook the Ziti Pasta
Start by cooking your ziti pasta according to the package instructions. Make sure to cook it al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside. Be sure to reserve a little pasta water to help thin out the sauce if needed.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion and garlic until softened and fragrant. If you’re using ground beef or sausage, add it now and cook until browned. Once the meat is fully cooked, add your marinara sauce and let it simmer for a few minutes. Stir in a pinch of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of pasta water or a little extra tomato sauce to thin it out.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Cheese Mixture
In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella, ½ cup of Parmesan cheese, and the heavy cream. Stir everything together until smooth. You can add a little salt, pepper, and some more Italian seasoning to taste. This creamy cheese mixture will create those perfect, melt-in-your-mouth layers in the ziti.
Step 4: Assemble the Baked Ziti
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Now it’s time to layer everything together! In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce at the bottom. Add half of your cooked ziti pasta on top of the sauce, then spoon half of the creamy cheese mixture over the pasta. Spread it evenly, and top with a little more marinara sauce. Repeat this process with the remaining pasta, cheese mixture, and sauce. Finish it off by sprinkling the top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Step 5: Bake the Ziti
Cover your baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top. The ziti should be piping hot and oozing with creamy goodness.
Step 6: Let It Rest
Once your baked ziti is out of the oven, let it sit for about 5 minutes to set. This makes it easier to slice and serve. I know it’s tempting, but try to let it cool just a little so you don’t burn your mouth with all that cheesy goodness!
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your Ultimate Creamy Cheesy Baked Ziti with a side of garlic bread, a simple salad, or some roasted vegetables. It’s the kind of meal that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends, and I promise, there won’t be any leftovers!
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Make it Ahead: Baked ziti is a great make-ahead dish. You can assemble it the day before, cover it with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you’re baking from the fridge.
- Freezing: You can also freeze this dish before baking. Wrap it tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
- Creamy Sauce: For an extra creamy sauce, you can add a little extra heavy cream or even a dollop of mascarpone cheese into the cheese mixture. It will make the ziti even richer.
- Meat Alternatives: If you prefer to keep it vegetarian, you can easily omit the meat and add more veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for a delicious twist.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Different Pasta: While ziti is traditional, you can use other short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or even cavatappi if you prefer.
- Cheese Variations: Swap out some of the mozzarella for provolone or fontina for a different cheese flavor. You could even use ricotta mixed with a little goat cheese for a tangy twist.
- Meat-Free Version: If you’re not a fan of meat, this dish can easily be made vegetarian. Try adding a variety of veggies like sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted bell peppers for extra flavor.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
- Garlic Bread: Serve with crispy, buttery garlic bread to scoop up all that creamy sauce.
- Simple Salad: A fresh side salad with a tangy vinaigrette is the perfect balance to the richness of the baked ziti.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or a medley of roasted carrots and bell peppers would complement the dish beautifully.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply microwave individual portions or place the entire dish back in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covered with foil. If it looks a little dry, add a splash of milk or cream to bring the sauce back to life.
4 FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the entire dish and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months before baking.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Definitely! You can swap out the mozzarella for provolone, fontina, or even gouda. Ricotta can also be replaced with cottage cheese for a slightly lighter version.
Can I make this without meat?
Absolutely! Just skip the ground beef or sausage and load it up with vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for a delicious vegetarian version.
How do I make my baked ziti spicier?
If you like a little heat, add red pepper flakes to the sauce or stir in some diced jalapeños when cooking the onions and garlic. You can also use spicy Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
Conclusion
This Ultimate Creamy Cheesy Baked Ziti is everything you want in a comfort food—rich, creamy, cheesy, and absolutely delicious. It’s the perfect dish for any occasion, whether it’s a family dinner, a potluck, or just a cozy night in. The layers of flavor and cheesy goodness will have everyone coming back for seconds, and maybe even thirds! Try it today, and watch it become a new favorite in your recipe collection.
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Ultimate Creamy Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipe – Hearty & Delicious
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Ultimate Creamy Cheesy Baked Ziti is a rich and comforting Italian-American classic. With tender ziti pasta smothered in a velvety Alfredo sauce, marinara, and topped with a generous amount of cheese, it’s the perfect hearty dish for any occasion. This cheesy baked pasta will become your new favorite comfort food!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta (or penne)
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the creamy sauce:
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
- Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Remove from heat and stir in the ricotta cheese and grated Parmesan until smooth.
- Combine with marinara sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the marinara sauce with the creamy sauce. Add the cooked ziti pasta to the sauce and stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Assemble the casserole:
- Pour half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the rest of the mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can add cooked ground beef, sausage, or vegetables for more texture and flavor.
- For a slightly lighter version, you can substitute half of the heavy cream with whole milk.
- Make sure to let the baked ziti rest before cutting to allow the cheesy layers to set.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the casserole
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg