Cheesy Baked Ziti
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By Alyssa Rivers
on Jul 29, 2019, Updated Sep 30, 2024 |
This cheesy baked ziti is baked to perfection with al dente noodles, spicy pepperoni, flavorful sausage, and smothered in melty cheese. It comes together quickly and easily and can be made ahead of time for busy weeknights!
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: This recipe comes together in less than an hour. The simple ingredients and prep make this my go-to recipe for busy nights!
- Make Ahead Option: I love recipes I can make ahead of time and pop in the oven when we’re ready to eat. It saves me time and makes dinner less stressful!
- Family Friendly: People of all ages love the flavor combinations in this dish. Pasta, marinara cheese, and zesty meats make everyone happy!
Ingredients for Cheesy Baked Ziti
These simple ingredients make for a quick meal! Not only quick but incredibly flavorful! For exact measurements, scroll to the bottom of the post and find them on the recipe card.
- Ziti Noodles: If you don’t have ziti noodles, you can use most noodles you have on hand!
- Italian Sausage: Adds more Italian flavor and a wonderful meaty texture.
- Pepperoni: Gives the dish a fun texture and zesty flavor.
- Green Bell Pepper: Provides a nice crunchy texture and green color.
- Yellow Onion: Gives the dish a warm, savory sweetness.
- Garlic: Everything tastes better with garlic!
- Shredded Parmesan Cheese: The best cheese to add a sharp, nutty flavor.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Adds the best melty, salty, cheesy flavor.
- Marinara Sauce: You can use store-bought or my homemade recipe if you have time!
How Do You Make Cheesy Baked Ziti?
This recipe is easy to make and won’t take up much of your time. The oven does most of the work! I also love that you can make this ahead so you can just throw it in the oven when you’re ready to eat!
- Cook Pasta: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and spray a 9×13 -inch baking dish with cooking spray. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until they are al dente, drain and rinse in cold water, set aside.
- Cook Meat and Vegetables: Cook the sausage, pepperoni, green bell pepper, and onion in a skillet over medium-high heat until the sausage is evenly browned.
- Combine: Add garlic, ½ cup parmesan cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and marinara sauce to the skillet. Continue cooking until the garlic and cheese are fully incorporated.
- Incorporate: Add the cooked pasta and sauce mixture together to the baking dish and then stir to incorporate. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup parmesan cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese over the pasta.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until the cheese begins to bubble and brown on top. Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Cheesy Baked Ziti Variations
This recipe is the best because you can make it just how you like it or with what you have on hand. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
- Pasta Options: You can use any medium-shaped pasta in this recipe if you don’t have ziti on hand. You could use farfalle, fusilli, penne, rigatoni or rotini. You will still want to make sure that the pasta is a little undercooked for baking.
- Protein Options: I prefer both sausage and pepperoni for a little spice in this dish. You could also use chicken, ground beef, Italian sausage, or Salami.
- Vegetarian Option: If you are looking for a vegetarian cheesy baked ziti, just leave out the meat! This is a great dish that doesn’t need the meat. Enjoy it just the way you like it!
How to Store and Make Ahead
When I make this easy baked ziti recipe, I like to make a second batch to freeze for later. Then I have a whole meal ready to go with minimal effort. Here are the ways you can save yourself time and energy.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Follow the recipe on the recipe card. When done baking, let cool completely. Freeze for one month in an airtight container or resealable container. Thaw completely before baking.
- Make Ahead of Time: Assemble the cheesy baked ziti without baking it, cover it with foil or an airtight lid, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, remove the foil and follow the baking instructions.
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Cook the pasta according to the package directions until they are al dente, rinse in cold water, and set aside.
Cook the sausage, pepperoni, green bell pepper, and onion in a skillet over medium-high heat until the sausage is evenly browned.
Add garlic, ½ cup parmesan cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and marinara sauce to the skillet. Continue cooking until the garlic and cheese are fully incorporated.
Add the cooked pasta and sauce mixture to the baking dish and stir to incorporate. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup parmesan cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese over the pasta.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until the cheese begins to bubble and brown on top.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Originally posted December 30, 2020
Updated October 5, 2024
Calories: 846kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 40gFat: 46gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 1744mgPotassium: 761mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 810IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 437mgIron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.