Cheesy Baked Ziti Casserole is a warm, satisfying pasta bake that’s perfect for family dinners and potlucks. Tender ziti is tossed with a creamy ricotta-and-cheese mixture, layered with a homemade tomato sauce, then topped with melted mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that tastes like comfort food straight from an Italian kitchen.
This version is meatless and simple to prepare from scratch — a great option when you want a hearty vegetarian main course that still feels indulgent and homemade.
I sometimes keep a pot of extra homemade sauce on the stove while the casserole bakes; it’s delicious spooned over individual servings and helps keep leftovers moist. Below you’ll find the ingredients, tips, FAQs and an easy step-by-step recipe to make this classic baked ziti at home.
Ingredients to Have on Hand
- Pasta: Ziti is traditional, but similar-size tube pastas such as penne work well.
- Cheeses: Ricotta for creaminess, shredded mozzarella for melt, and grated parmesan for flavor.
- Canned crushed tomatoes: Use crushed tomatoes for a smooth, rich sauce rather than chunky diced tomatoes.
- Herbs & spices: Italian seasoning and fresh basil add classic flavor.
- Aromatics: Onion and garlic form the savory base of the sauce.
Scroll to the recipe card below for exact measurements and full instructions.
Why You’ll Enjoy Cheesy Baked Ziti
This casserole offers rich, familiar flavors without meat, making it a satisfying vegetarian main. The combination of three cheeses, a bright tomato sauce, and tender pasta makes every bite comforting and cozy. It’s also a great make-ahead recipe for busy evenings and feeds a crowd with minimal fuss.
Most of the hands-on work is done in under an hour, and the results are restaurant-style comfort food you can recreate at home.
Pro Tips
- Use a canned crushed tomato variety you like for sauce—some brands are slightly sweeter and make a smoother sauce.
- Reserve a few cups of extra sauce and keep it warm while the ziti bakes; spooning more sauce over plated servings keeps leftovers tasty.
- If you plan to freeze the casserole, undercook the pasta by 1–2 minutes so it doesn’t become mushy when reheated.
Simmer the Red Sauce
This recipe makes plenty of red sauce — plan on saving a few cups to serve alongside the baked ziti or to store for future meals. A simple, scratch-made sauce takes about 20 minutes to come together: sauté onion and garlic in olive oil, add crushed tomatoes, sugar, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and fresh basil, then reduce to a gentle simmer until flavors meld.
How to Layer the Ziti Casserole
Start by placing half of the cheesy pasta mixture into a greased 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Dot the surface with about ½ cup of ricotta to create pockets of creamy cheese inside the bake.
Top with the remaining pasta, pour about three cups of tomato sauce evenly over the top, add the remaining ricotta in dollops and finish with shredded mozzarella. Bake until bubbly around the edges and golden on top.
Recipe FAQs
Small-curd cottage cheese works well as a ricotta substitute. The flavor is similar, though the texture will be slightly different. You can also blend cottage cheese briefly for a smoother result closer to ricotta.
Yes. Assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe dish but do not bake. Wrap tightly with heavy-duty foil and freeze for up to three months. When ready to bake, cook from frozen at 375°F for 60–75 minutes, removing the foil for the last 15 minutes so the top can brown.
Leftover baked ziti freezes nicely once cooled. Wrap the whole dish in foil or pack individual portions in airtight containers. Reheat frozen portions covered in a 350°F oven for 30–45 minutes or heat smaller portions in the microwave.
Other Pasta Recipes
If you enjoy this baked ziti, try other comforting pasta dishes like mac and cheese or pasta with tomato cream sauce or fresh pesto. These recipes offer plenty of variation for weeknight dinners and family meals.
If you try this Cheesy Baked Ziti Casserole, please leave a star rating and a comment to let me know how it turned out — I love hearing from readers!
Recipe
Cheesy Baked Ziti Casserole
This scratch-made, Italian-inspired pasta bake is ideal for sharing. Serve with extra tomato sauce and crusty bread for a classic, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package ziti pasta
- 2 1/2 cups ricotta cheese, divided
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 3 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt, plus more for salting pasta water
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
Cook Pasta, Prep Cheese
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a teaspoon or two of salt, then the ziti. Cook about 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain, rinse briefly with cool water and set aside. Grate the mozzarella and parmesan.
Make the Tomato Sauce
- In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, sugar, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and basil. Reduce heat and simmer on low for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9″ x 13″ baking dish.
Make the Cheese Mixture
- In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella and the parmesan. Add the egg and mix until smooth. Stir in about 1 cup of the tomato sauce, then add the cooled pasta and toss to combine.
Assemble
- Place half of the pasta mixture in the prepared dish and dot the surface with about 1/2 cup ricotta. Top with the remaining pasta, then pour three cups of the remaining tomato sauce over the top. Dollop with the remaining ricotta and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella. Reserve any extra sauce for serving.
Bake
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned on top. If desired, garnish with extra chopped basil and a sprinkle of parmesan before serving.
Notes
This recipe makes extra sauce—be sure to spoon a few extra spoonfuls over each serving. For a spicier variation, add red pepper flakes to the sauce or serve with a spicy cream sauce on the side.
Nutrition
Calories: 433 kcal | Carbohydrates: 50 g | Protein: 23 g | Fat: 16 g | Saturated Fat: 9 g | Sodium: 909 mg | Fiber: 4 g | Sugar: 9 g
Nutrition estimates are approximate and provided as a general guide.