The short answer: this baked ziti recipe tosses 1 pound of slightly underboiled ziti with sausage and marinara, layers it with a ricotta and Parmesan mixture and mozzarella in a 9x13 pan, and bakes it at 375°F for about 40 minutes.
- Key numbers: 1 pound ziti · 1 pound Italian sausage · 4 cups sauce · 15 ounces ricotta · 4 cups mozzarella · 375°F · 20 minutes covered plus 15 to 20 uncovered · feeds 8 to 10
- Top moves: boil the pasta 2 minutes short, use plenty of sauce so it stays saucy, and rest it 10 minutes before cutting
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Prep time: 20 minCook time: 47 minTotal time: 1 hr 17 minServings: 8 to 10 servingsTotal includes 10 min of resting, chilling or rising.
Amounts in this baked ziti recipe were checked November 3, 2026. The sections below cover ingredients, steps, make-ahead and freezer plans, variations and storage.
Baked ziti ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ziti or penne | 1 pound | Penne or rigatoni work too |
| Italian sausage or ground beef | 1 pound | Casings removed |
| Yellow onion | 1 small, diced | |
| Garlic | 3 cloves, minced | |
| Marinara sauce | 4 cups | One 24-ounce jar plus 1 cup, or homemade |
| Whole-milk ricotta | 15 ounces | |
| Large egg | 1 | Optional, helps it set |
| Grated Parmesan | ¾ cup, divided | |
| Shredded mozzarella | 4 cups (16 ounces), divided | Low-moisture melts best |
| Italian seasoning | 1 teaspoon | |
| Salt and pepper | To taste | Plus salt for the pasta water |
| Fresh basil or parsley | For serving |
How to make baked ziti
- Heat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Boil the pasta. Cook the ziti in well-salted water for 2 minutes less than the package time. Drain it.
- Brown the meat. Cook the sausage and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up, until no pink remains. Ground meat is safe at 160°F. Add the garlic for 30 seconds, then stir in the marinara and simmer 5 minutes.
- Mix the cheese layer. Stir together the ricotta, egg, ½ cup of the Parmesan, the Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Toss and layer. Toss the pasta with the meat sauce. Spread half in the dish, dollop the ricotta mixture over it, and sprinkle on 2 cups of mozzarella. Add the rest of the pasta, then the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 to 20 minutes more, until bubbly and browned in spots.
- Rest. Let it stand 10 minutes so it slices cleanly, then top with basil.
Make-ahead and freezer plan
| Plan | How to store | How to bake |
|---|---|---|
| Same day | Assemble up to 4 hours ahead, refrigerated | Add 10 minutes covered |
| Next day | Cover tightly, refrigerate up to 24 hours | Add 10 to 15 minutes covered |
| Freeze unbaked | Wrap in plastic and foil, freeze up to 3 months | Bake from frozen, covered, 60 to 75 minutes, then 15 uncovered |
| Freeze baked | Cool, portion, freeze up to 3 months | Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat to 165°F |
USDA notes that frozen food stays safe indefinitely at 0°F, so the 3-month limit is about flavor and texture. Baked ziti is one of the easiest freezer meals to stock.
Baked ziti for a crowd
| Guests | Pans | Pasta | Sausage | Sauce | Ricotta | Mozzarella |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 to 10 | 1 | 1 pound | 1 pound | 4 cups | 15 ounces | 16 ounces |
| 16 to 20 | 2 | 2 pounds | 2 pounds | 8 cups | 30 ounces | 32 ounces |
| 24 to 30 | 3 | 3 pounds | 3 pounds | 12 cups | 45 ounces | 48 ounces |
Rotate the pans between racks halfway through when you bake more than one. Pair baked ziti with a big salad and crusty rolls or warm pita bread, and see our Sunday dinner ideas for the rest of the table.
Easy variations
- Meatless: skip the meat and add sauteed mushrooms and spinach.
- Beef and sausage: use ½ pound of each.
- Chicken: stir in 3 cups of shredded cooked chicken.
- Sausage and peppers: cook 2 sliced bell peppers with the onion.
- No ricotta: use 1 cup of sour cream or more mozzarella.
- Homemade sauce: our marinara sauce makes enough for one pan.
If you love layered pasta, our lasagna uses the same sauce and cheeses in neat stacked layers. Want a broader cozy dinner hub? Browse easy comfort food recipes.
Storing and reheating leftovers
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. USDA says leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and should be reheated to 165°F. Reheat single squares in the microwave with a splash of water or sauce, covered, or warm a whole pan at 350°F under foil for about 25 minutes.
Malaysia loves cooking, and a pan of ziti is the kind of dish that covers dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow. For more family meals, see our easy dinner ideas and meal planning on a budget. More pans in that price range live in our 100 cheap meal ideas guide.
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Browse every recipe and kitchen planner in our printables shop. Bottle a batch of spaghetti sauce for this bake and weeknight noodles. Prefer a stove-top Roman bowl over a baked pasta? Make cacio e pepe. For a chicken casserole in the same baked-pasta lane, see our chicken spaghetti recipe.
Lighter vegetable-heavy pasta night: pasta primavera.
Frequently asked questions
What is in a baked ziti recipe? A classic baked ziti recipe uses ziti pasta, a meat or marinara sauce, a ricotta and Parmesan layer and plenty of mozzarella, baked in a 9x13 pan until bubbly. This version uses 1 pound each of ziti and Italian sausage.
What temperature do you bake baked ziti at? Bake baked ziti at 375°F, covered with foil for 20 minutes and uncovered for 15 to 20 more, until the cheese is bubbly and browned in spots. Let it rest 10 minutes before cutting.
Should I cook the ziti before baking? Yes, boil the ziti 2 minutes less than the package says so it stays firm. It finishes softening in the sauce while it bakes.
Do you put an egg in baked ziti? An egg in the ricotta mixture is optional, but it helps the cheese layer set so squares hold together. Leave it out for a looser, creamier ziti.
What is the difference between baked ziti and lasagna? Baked ziti tosses short tube pasta with the sauce and cheese, while lasagna stacks flat noodles in neat layers. Ziti is faster to assemble and easier to serve to a crowd.
Can I make baked ziti ahead of time? Yes, assemble it, cover it tightly and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 to 15 minutes to the covered baking time because it goes in cold.
Can you freeze baked ziti? Yes, freeze baked ziti, baked or unbaked, in a freezer-safe pan for up to 3 months for the best quality. Bake it from frozen, covered, at 375°F for about 60 to 75 minutes, then uncover for 15 minutes.
How many people does a 9x13 pan of baked ziti feed? A 9x13 pan of baked ziti feeds 8 to 10 people as a main dish. Make two pans for a party of 16 to 20, or for a potluck with lots of other dishes.
Can I make baked ziti without meat? Yes, skip the sausage and use 4 cups of marinara, or add 1 pound of sauteed mushrooms, spinach or zucchini. The ricotta layer keeps it filling.
How long does baked ziti last in the fridge? Baked ziti keeps 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator when it goes in within 2 hours of baking. Reheat portions until they are steaming hot, 165°F.
How do I plan baked ziti for a big family dinner? The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. includes an aisle-sorted shopping list, so the pasta, cheese and sauce for two pans go on one trip. Write the pan count at the top so you buy the right amounts.
Where can I save my family's baked ziti recipe? The Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has fillable recipe pages and dividers, so your baked ziti, with your own tweaks, stays with your other family dinners. It prints at home on US Letter paper.
Sources
- FoodSafety.gov: Safe minimum internal temperatures foodsafety.gov
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety fsis.usda.gov
- USDA FSIS: Freezing and food safety fsis.usda.gov