Short Description:
Looking for a quick, comforting dinner that the whole family will love? This Weeknight Baked Ziti is your go-to! With tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese, it’s a crowd-pleasing meal that comes together in no time. Perfect for those busy nights when you need something simple yet satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
This Weeknight Baked Ziti is the kind of dish you can rely on when you’re in a rush but still want a delicious, home-cooked meal. It’s loaded with pasta, savory marinara, and a cheesy topping that’s guaranteed to melt in your mouth. The best part? It’s all made in one pan, so clean-up is a breeze. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for an easy weeknight dinner, this baked ziti is sure to hit the spot every time.
Ingredients:
You’ll need just a few ingredients to pull off this hearty dish:
- Ziti pasta
- Marinara sauce
- Ground beef (or turkey, if you prefer)
- Garlic
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Dried herbs like basil and oregano
(Full ingredient list and measurements below.)
Directions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by cooking the ziti pasta according to the package instructions. Be sure to salt the water well for flavor. Drain the pasta and set it aside. It’s important not to overcook the pasta, as it will continue cooking in the oven.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
In a large skillet, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. If you’re using turkey, it will take a little less time to brown. Once the meat is cooked through, add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Combine the Sauce
Add your marinara sauce to the skillet with the cooked meat. Stir everything together, and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, dried basil, and oregano to taste. This is where the sauce really comes to life, so feel free to taste and adjust the seasoning as you go.
Step 4: Mix the Pasta and Sauce
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce. Stir it all together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. This is the base of your baked ziti!
Step 5: Layer the Ziti
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella cheese over the pasta. Then, top with the remaining pasta mixture and cover it with a final layer of mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for that extra cheesy goodness.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for about 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and golden on top.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. It’s perfect on its own, but you can pair it with a simple side salad and some garlic bread for a complete meal.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Make it ahead: This dish is great for meal prep! You can assemble the ziti ahead of time, cover it, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time if it’s cold from the fridge.
- Use ricotta for creaminess: If you want an extra creamy texture, add a layer of ricotta cheese to the middle of the ziti before baking. It’ll make it extra rich and decadent.
- Try different meats: You can use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option, or even swap in Italian sausage for a little extra flavor.
- Add veggies: Sneak in some spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra veggies and color. Simply sauté them with the garlic before adding the sauce.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Vegetarian option: Omit the meat and add some extra veggies like zucchini, spinach, or eggplant. You can also add a little more cheese to make up for the lack of protein.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta instead of regular ziti to make this dish gluten-free. The rest of the recipe stays the same!
- Dairy-free: If you need a dairy-free version, swap out the cheese for dairy-free alternatives, and use a dairy-free sauce (or make your own).
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This Weeknight Baked Ziti is hearty enough to serve on its own, but here are a few ideas to complete your meal:
- Garlic bread: You can’t go wrong with warm, toasty garlic bread on the side to soak up all the sauce!
- Simple salad: A fresh salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, and a balsamic vinaigrette is the perfect light side dish to balance the richness of the ziti.
- Wine pairing: A glass of red wine, like Chianti or a light Pinot Noir, pairs beautifully with this dish.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Storage: Leftover baked ziti can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes really well! Allow it to cool completely before wrapping it tightly with foil and plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply pop it back in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or microwave individual servings until hot.
4 FAQs
- Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can use any type of pasta you like! Penne, rigatoni, or rotini would all work well in this baked dish. Just make sure the pasta is hearty enough to hold up in the sauce. - Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire dish and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just remember to add a little extra time when baking if it’s cold from the fridge. - What can I do if I don’t have mozzarella?
You can use other cheeses like provolone, gouda, or even a combination of Italian cheeses if you don’t have mozzarella on hand. You want something that melts well and gives that gooey, cheesy texture. - Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, simply skip the ground beef and add extra veggies or even a plant-based meat alternative. You can also add more cheese or a layer of ricotta for extra richness.
Conclusion
This Weeknight Baked Ziti is everything you want in a quick and comforting dinner. It’s cheesy, saucy, and filling—perfect for feeding the family after a busy day. Plus, it’s so easy to customize based on what you have in your kitchen. Make it your own, and watch it become a staple in your weeknight dinner rotation.
Weeknight Baked Ziti: The Ultimate Comfort Food for Busy Nights
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-45 minutes
- Total Time: 50-60 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course, Pasta
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
A quick, comforting dinner perfect for busy nights, this Weeknight Baked Ziti is filled with tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese. It’s the ultimate family-friendly meal that’s simple to make and full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 jar marinara sauce (about 24 oz)
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
-
Cook the Pasta:
Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions, ensuring you salt the water for flavor. Drain and set aside. -
Brown the Meat:
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. -
Combine the Sauce:
Add marinara sauce to the meat, stir to combine, and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, basil, and oregano. Adjust seasoning to taste. -
Mix the Pasta and Sauce:
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce, stirring until evenly coated. -
Layer the Ziti:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread half the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish, top with a layer of mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. -
Bake to Perfection:
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden. -
Serve and Enjoy:
Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. Pair with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Make it ahead: Assemble the dish and refrigerate overnight. Add an extra 10 minutes to baking time if refrigerated.
- Use ricotta for extra creaminess: Add a layer of ricotta cheese in the middle for a richer texture.
- Add veggies: Consider adding spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to sneak in some extra veggies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450-500
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 600-800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70-90mg