This Easy Baked Ziti is made with simple ingredients, full of flavor, and ready in less than an hour. Loaded with an easy meat sauce, tender pasta, and three types of cheese, this comfort dish is sure to be a dinnertime crowd-pleaser!
Comfort food is in full effect, friends.
October is here, which means warm sweaters, all of the pumpkin spice lattes that I can get my hands on, and easy comfort dishes.
And if I’m being honest, I’m all about comfort food year round. But, it just seems to taste even better come fall and winter. The hearty ingredients, cozy spices and warmth of the dishes just scream comfort food all around.
So I guess you can see where this is going, right?
I’m so excited to share one of my newest (and favorite) comfort food dishes that can be prepped and ready to go in less than an hour. Fast, fresh and flavorful, this hearty dish was made for those chilly days.
This Easy Baked Ziti is made with simple ingredients, full of flavor, and ready in less than an hour. Loaded with an easy meat sauce, tender pasta, and three types of cheese, this comfort dish is sure to be a dinnertime crowd-pleaser!
And if you love Italian food like I do, then this Easy Baked Ziti is sure to be a hit.
The name pretty much says it all. It’s easy to make (but you knew that was coming, right?), is prepared on the stove top and then finished in the oven. It’s saucy, cheesy, and oh-so good for all of you comfort-food-pasta-loving-cheese-fanatic-lovers out there. And that was a mouthful, pun intended!
And did I mention that this Easy Baked Ziti is a breeze to whip up? Because it sure is. And that’s what I’m all about, friends!
Simply prepare the ziti noodles according to the package directions, whip up the easy meat sauce, and stir together the cheese. Layer everything together and then pop it into the oven to let it work its magic. Easy peasy and so delicious!
So, if you’re on the hunt for that perfect, cozy fall dish to impress your family or hungry dinner guests, this Easy Baked Ziti is it! I guarantee you’ll love it just as much as me!
Looking for more easy main dishes? I’ve got you covered!
Easy Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dry ziti or other small pasta
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 jar (24 ounce) spaghetti sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 carton (16 ounce) ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium pot, cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- While pasta is cooking, brown and crumble ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain and return to skillet (wipe skillet clean of grease, if needed).
- Add spaghetti sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Stir and simmer over low heat for 2-3 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the eggs, ricotta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Stir to combine. Add pasta to cheese mixture and toss to coat.
- Spoon 1/3 of meat mixture onto bottom of prepared pan, followed by half of the pasta mixture. Repeat with another layer. Top with remaining meat sauce.
- Cover dish with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes.
- Uncover, sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and return to oven. Bake for 5-8 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Blair says
Can’t beat comfort food at this time of year! Baked ziti is a favorite around here, and I love that your version is EASY! That’s my kind of cooking. 🙂
Gayle says
Thanks, Blair! I’m all about easy meals! 🙂
Carla says
I have made Easy Ziti using only the Ziti, Mozzarella cheese and hamburger, and pasta sauce as I find that the ricotta is too watery, I prefer to add a bit of extra water. Otherwise, I LOVE your easy recipe.
Gayle says
Glad you enjoyed, Carla!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Once the weather gets cooler my body seems to crave all the things cozy and comforting! And ziti is most definitely a weakness of mine! Needless to say, I’m drooling over yours!! Love that it’s super easy to prepare! Can’t wait to make this! Pinbed of course! Cheers!
Gayle says
Thanks for the ziti love and pin, friend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I’m ALL about comfort food year round too, Gayle, and definitely even more so this time of year! I could definitely go for this for dinner tonight…or even lunch 🙂 Pinned! Cheers to a great week, my friend!
Gayle says
Thanks, Dawn!
marcie says
Cheesy baked pasta is where it’s at for me! Honestly it’s where it’s at for my kids too because they really don’t care about pasta unless it’s like this. 🙂 This is definitely the best kind of comfort food and your photos are gorgeous!
Gayle says
Thank you, Marcie! I agree…cheesy pasta steals my heart every time! 🙂
annie@ciaochowbambina says
This is the kind of comfort I’m always seeking! Bring on the pasta!
Gayle says
Agreed!
mira says
Love the weather this week! Cold in the morning and afternoon and pretty nice during the day 🙂 This pasta looks perfect! Love baked ziti, but rarely make them. Pinning to try these this week!
Gayle says
Thanks, Mira! We’re finally get a little fall weather around here! 🙂
Sues says
I love all the layer in this!! It’s getting soo chilly here and I totally need this kind of comfort!
Gayle says
Thanks, Sue!
Manali@CookWithManali says
such a comforting looking meal, perfect for this time of the year!
Gayle says
Agreed! Thanks, Manali.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
No sweater weather here in Florida yet but I’ll just turn down the AC when I turn the oven on, your ziti looks great.
Gayle says
Thanks, Karen! It’s not quite sweater yet here either, but the comfort food is in force! 🙂