• Recipe Index
    • Appetizers & Snacks
      • Healthy Snacks
    • Breakfast
      • Breads and Muffins
      • Donuts and Scones
    • Desserts
      • Breads and Muffins
      • Cakes and Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Donuts and Scones
      • Frozen Treats
      • Pies
    • Drinks
      • Smoothies and Shakes
    • Main Course
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • Air Fryer
      • Instant Pot
      • Sandwiches & Wraps
      • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Salads
    • Sauces & Spreads
    • Seasonal Favorites
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Fall
      • Halloween
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Valentine’s Day
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Air Fryer
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Meet Gayle
    • Privacy Policy
↑

Pumpkin 'N Spice

Where easy recipes and lifestyle collide

  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers & Snacks
      • Healthy Snacks
    • Breakfast
      • Breads and Muffins
      • Donuts and Scones
    • Desserts
      • Breads and Muffins
      • Cakes and Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Donuts and Scones
      • Frozen Treats
      • Pies
    • Drinks
      • Smoothies and Shakes
    • Main Course
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • Air Fryer
      • Instant Pot
      • Sandwiches & Wraps
      • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Salads
    • Sauces & Spreads
    • Seasonal Favorites
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Fall
      • Halloween
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Valentine’s Day
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Air Fryer
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Meet Gayle
    • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Main Course / Easy Baked Ziti

Easy Baked Ziti

Main Course

  • Share36
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Email

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!

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!

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!

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!

Looking for more easy main dishes? I’ve got you covered!

  • Creamy Sausage and Mushroom Rigatoni
  • Sweet Potato Chili Pasta
  • One Pot Chicken Fajita Soup
Print
4 from 1 vote

Easy Baked Ziti

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!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword pasta recipe, ziti recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 -8 servings
Calories 562kcal

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

Inspired by Taste of Home magazine - Fall 2014

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 562kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 166mg | Sodium: 971mg | Potassium: 762mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1083IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 378mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @pumpkin_n_spice or tag #pumpkin_n_spice!

 

 

Stay in the loop! Subscribe for all the latest recipes

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

By Gayle | October 16, 2017

Comments

  1. Blair says

    October 16, 2017 at 4:49 am

    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. 🙂

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      October 16, 2017 at 7:23 am

      Thanks, Blair! I’m all about easy meals! 🙂

      Reply
      • Carla says

        March 14, 2022 at 10:33 am

        5 stars
        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

        March 14, 2022 at 11:49 am

        Glad you enjoyed, Carla!

  2. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    October 16, 2017 at 7:01 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      October 16, 2017 at 7:23 am

      Thanks for the ziti love and pin, friend!

      Reply
  3. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    October 16, 2017 at 7:02 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      October 16, 2017 at 7:23 am

      Thanks, Dawn!

      Reply
  4. marcie says

    October 16, 2017 at 9:14 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      October 16, 2017 at 9:41 am

      Thank you, Marcie! I agree…cheesy pasta steals my heart every time! 🙂

      Reply
  5. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    October 16, 2017 at 3:54 pm

    This is the kind of comfort I’m always seeking! Bring on the pasta!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      October 16, 2017 at 4:39 pm

      Agreed!

      Reply
  6. mira says

    October 16, 2017 at 9:14 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      October 17, 2017 at 6:15 am

      Thanks, Mira! We’re finally get a little fall weather around here! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Sues says

    October 16, 2017 at 10:03 pm

    I love all the layer in this!! It’s getting soo chilly here and I totally need this kind of comfort!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      October 17, 2017 at 6:14 am

      Thanks, Sue!

      Reply
  8. Manali@CookWithManali says

    October 17, 2017 at 10:12 am

    such a comforting looking meal, perfect for this time of the year!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      October 17, 2017 at 10:18 am

      Agreed! Thanks, Manali.

      Reply
  9. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

    October 17, 2017 at 12:52 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      October 17, 2017 at 4:41 pm

      Thanks, Karen! It’s not quite sweater yet here either, but the comfort food is in force! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Gayle

Welcome!

I’m glad you've stumbled on by and hope you’ll return to find some recipes that intrigue your senses! About Gayle

Popular Recipes

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy Mac and Cheese

These Easy Breakfast Quesadillas are filled with fluffy, scrambled eggs, green peppers, bacon and cheddar cheeses, all enveloped between two crispy tortilla shells. It's an easy meal that's perfect for busy mornings!

Easy Breakfast Quesadillas

simple sweet potatoes in a bowl with a fork

Parmesan Herb Roasted Sweet Potatoes

These Baked Parmesan Green Bean Fries are coated with a mixture of Parmesan cheese and spices, and then baked until golden. Crispy, crunchy, and full of flavor, these healthier fries make the perfect appetizer or easy side dish!

Parmesan Baked Green Bean Fries

Featured in:

Featured On

Stay in the loop! Subscribe for all the latest recipes

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

Copyright ©2023, Pumpkin 'N Spice. / Site by Pixel Me Designs
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers & Snacks
      • Healthy Snacks
    • Breakfast
      • Breads and Muffins
      • Donuts and Scones
    • Desserts
      • Breads and Muffins
      • Cakes and Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Donuts and Scones
      • Frozen Treats
      • Pies
    • Drinks
      • Smoothies and Shakes
    • Main Course
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • Air Fryer
      • Instant Pot
      • Sandwiches & Wraps
      • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Salads
    • Sauces & Spreads
    • Seasonal Favorites
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Fall
      • Halloween
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Valentine’s Day
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Air Fryer
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Meet Gayle
    • Privacy Policy