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Easy Baked Ziti Recipe – An Old Family Tradition

I make this easy baked ziti recipe a few times a month. It is absolutely a go-to favorite in my kitchen. If you follow my Instagram account, you know all about my nightly dinners. I typically post what we eat (and how I make them) in my stories. This week, I’ve noticed that I’ve been posting a ton of drinks as well. Maybe the holidays are getting the best of me. LOL!

Anyway, I recently asked my children to each pick a recipe for me to make and my two sons both wanted baked ziti. Ok, actually, Liam wanted lasagna but I convinced him that baked ziti was pretty much the same thing. Let’s be honest, moms… baked ziti is MUCH easier to make than lasagna! Please! Anyway, he agreed and here we are.

Easy Baked Ziti Recipe – An Old Family Tradition

baked ziti recipe

Without further ado, here is my SUPER EASY baked ziti recipe:

Baked Ziti Ingredients:

  • (2) Boxes of ziti
  • (1) family style jar of Rao’s Marinara sauce (yeah I said it – I didn’t make my own sauce)
  • (1) can of tomato sauce
  • (3) tablespoons of oregano
  • (1.5) pounds of chopped meat
  • (1) onion diced
  • (5) garlic cloves – diced
  • (2) bags of shredded mozzarella
  • (1) cup of parmesan cheese
  • (1) small jar of ricotta cheese
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

baked ziti Directions:

PREHEAT OVEN 375 degrees

Boil the pasta right before you think it’s al dente. You don’t want it to be HARD… but you also don’t want it to be edible as well. Drain and put aside.

Brown the chopped meat. Add a little salt and pepper.  When you are 80% done, push everything to one side of the pan and use the other half of the pan to cook the onions and garlic. Add a little bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a tablespoon of oregano. Cook until translucent. Mix with meat.  You could add more oregano if you feel like you need it. Cook through. Drain if needed. Set aside.

Heat up the sauce. Combine the Rao’s with the can of tomato sauce. You don’t really need to season this one but if you feel the need, you could add a little salt and pepper. Up to you. Warm until you see bubbles.

Grab a HUGE bowl and place the pasta and meat in the bowl. Mix. Pour 3/4 of the sauce into the bow. Mix Pour one entire bag of mozzarella cheese into the bowl. Mix Add the cup of parmesan cheese to the bowl. Mix.

Use a 10×13 casserole dish and place a layer of your mixture into it. Dollop several small spoonfuls of ricotta cheese throughout the dish. Cover with next layer of pasta mixture. Repeat until you fill your dish and have no pasta left.

Top dish with mozzarella cheese from the second bag. You do NOT have to use the entire bag. Just drizzle enough to cover the area.

Cook at 350 for 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Serve with bread and enjoy!

I also sometimes make a size of sausage or I place the sausage into the mix. Up to you on that. I LOVE to have both chopped meat and sausage in the dish. When I do, I typically use half the amount of chopped meat though. My kids don’t all like sausage – that’s why it’s easier for me to just make it on the side. 🙂

OPTIONAL — you could also sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley at the very end if you want. I just never remember to buy this!! Do you make this dish during the holidays? I make it the most during the colder months! 

Related: 

baked ziti recipe

Baked Ziti Recipe

Ingredients

  • (2) Boxes of ziti
  • (1) family style jar of Rao's Marinara sauce (yeah I said it - I didn't make my own sauce)
  • (1) can of tomato sauce
  • (3) tablespoons of oregano
  • (1.5) pounds of chopped meat
  • (1) onion diced
  • (5) garlic cloves - diced
  • (2) bags of shredded mozzarella
  • (1) cup of parmesan cheese
  • (1) small jar of ricotta cheese
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

PREHEAT OVEN 375 degrees

Boil the pasta right before you think it's al dente. You don't want it to be HARD... but you also don't want it to be edible as well. Drain and put aside.

Brown the chopped meat. Add a little salt and pepper. When you are 80% done, push everything to one side of the pan and use the other half of the pan to cook the onions and garlic. Add a little bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a tablespoon of oregano. Cook until translucent. Mix with meat. You could add more oregano if you feel like you need it. Cook through. Drain if needed. Set aside.

Heat up the sauce. Combine the Rao's with the can of tomato sauce. You don't really need to season this one but if you feel the need, you could add a little salt and pepper. Up to you. Warm until you see bubbles.

Grab a HUGE bowl and place the pasta and meat in the bowl. Mix. Pour 3/4 of the sauce into the bow. Mix Pour one entire bag of mozzarella cheese into the bowl. Mix Add the cup of parmesan cheese to the bowl. Mix.

Use a 10x13 casserole dish and place a layer of your mixture into it. Dollop several small spoonfuls of ricotta cheese throughout the dish. Cover with next layer of pasta mixture. Repeat until you fill your dish and have no pasta left.

Top dish with mozzarella cheese from the second bag. You do NOT have to use the entire bag. Just drizzle enough to cover the area.

Cook at 350 for 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Serve with bread and enjoy!

I also sometimes make a size of sausage or I place the sausage into the mix. Up to you on that. I LOVE to have both chopped meat and sausage in the dish. When I do, I typically use half the amount of chopped meat though. My kids don't all like sausage - that's why it's easier for me to just make it on the side. 🙂

Did you make this recipe?

Did you make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram (@VeraSweeney) so I can see your wonderful creation! I would love to see your dish.

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Denise

Thursday 7th of December 2017

Cuz jar sauce that's a no no

Shannon Gurnee

Thursday 7th of December 2017

We love Baked Ziti in our home! I will definitely have to try making this recipe sometime. It looks and sounds delicious!

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