This Easy Baked Ziti Recipe is the kind of cozy weeknight dinner that feels like comfort food but still comes together in about 30 minutes. Everything starts in one skillet with pasta simmered right in a simple marinara sauce, then it gets finished with cream, Parmesan, and a layer of melted mozzarella on top.
It is rich, creamy, and family-friendly without being complicated. If you love easy pasta dinners, you might also like my Creamy Pesto Pasta, Pink Sauce Pasta, and Creamy Chicken Broccoli Ziti.
Quick Look: Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
- ⏱️ Ready in: About 30 minutes.
- 🍽️ Serves: 6 people.
- 🏡 Best for: Busy weeknights when you want a cozy pasta dinner without using several pans.
- ❤️ Why you’ll love it: The pasta cooks right in the tomato sauce, then gets stirred with cream and Parmesan before the mozzarella melts on top.
- 🧀 Flavor profile: Creamy tomato sauce, tender ziti, a little heat from red pepper flakes, and a cheesy baked top.
- 🎯 Best paired with: Serve it with Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan, a simple salad, or Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breast if you want extra protein.
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“This is the ultimate comfort food, no doubt about it, but I love how quickly this version comes together! Perfect for busy nights!”
– Monica
Why This Recipe Works
This baked ziti recipe works because the pasta cooks directly in the sauce instead of being boiled separately. The ziti absorbs flavor as it softens, and the starch from the pasta helps the sauce thicken naturally.
- The marinara sauce creates a simple base with bright tomato flavor.
- Heavy cream softens the acidity and makes the sauce smooth and rich.
- Parmesan adds savory depth, while mozzarella gives you that classic melty baked ziti top.
- It is a meatless comfort meal that still feels hearty enough for dinner.
Key Ingredients
You only need a short list of pantry-friendly ingredients to make this easy baked ziti recipe.
- Marinara sauce. This is the base of the sauce. Letting it simmer first gives the tomatoes a deeper flavor. You can use my recipe for Homemade Marinara Sauce or use one from a store.
- Ziti pasta. Ziti holds the creamy tomato sauce well, but another short pasta shape can work too.
- Water. The pasta cooks right in the skillet, so the water helps soften the ziti and create the sauce.
- Heavy cream. This turns the tomato sauce into a creamy blush sauce.
- Parmesan cheese. Adds salty, savory flavor and helps the sauce taste richer.
- Mozzarella cheese. Melts on top and gives the dish that classic cheesy baked finish.
- Red pepper flakes. Adds a little warmth without making the pasta too spicy.
Substitutions and Additions
- Use another pasta shape. Penne, rigatoni, or rotini can work if you do not have ziti. Watch the cooking time and stir often.
- Add protein. Stir in cooked Italian sausage, ground beef, shredded chicken, or leftover rotisserie chicken before baking.
- Make it more veggie-packed. Add spinach at the end, or stir in sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.
- Swap the cheese blend. A pizza blend with mozzarella, provolone, and Asiago tastes delicious here.
- Make it less spicy. Skip the red pepper flakes if cooking for kids or anyone sensitive to heat.
How to make Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
You will need a large, deep oven-safe skillet. If your skillet is not oven safe, cook the pasta on the stovetop first, then transfer everything to a baking dish before adding the mozzarella and baking.
- Step 1: Add marinara sauce to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Add water, ziti, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir, cover, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes so the pasta does not stick.
- Step 3: Preheat the oven to 450°F. When the pasta is cooked, turn off the heat and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
- Step 4: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Bake for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
Expert Tips
- Use a large, deep skillet so the pasta has enough room to cook evenly in the sauce.
- Stir the ziti every few minutes while it simmers. This is the most important step for preventing the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Keep the skillet covered while the pasta cooks so the liquid does not evaporate too quickly.
- Wait to adjust the salt until after you stir in the Parmesan, since the cheese already adds salty flavor.
- If the pasta looks too thick before baking, add a small splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce.
What to serve with it
This easy baked ziti recipe is filling enough to serve as a meatless dinner, but I love adding something fresh or green on the side to balance the creamy tomato sauce. A crisp salad, roasted vegetable, or simple chicken recipe all work well depending on how hearty you want the meal to be.
For salads, try it with Mediterranean Farro Salad or Chicken Cobb Salad.
If you want vegetables, serve it with Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan or Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables.
To add protein, pair the pasta with Easy Lemon Chicken, Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs, or Cast Iron Chicken Breast.
Easy Baked Ziti Recipe FAQs
Yes. Assemble the pasta in an oven-safe skillet or baking dish, let it cool, then cover and refrigerate. When you are ready to serve, bake until the cheese is melted and the pasta is hot all the way through. You may need to add a few extra minutes if it is cold from the fridge.
Cook the sauce and pasta in a regular deep skillet or pot, then transfer everything to a baking dish before adding the mozzarella and baking. It will still taste like a cozy baked ziti casserole, just with one extra dish.
Stir the ziti every few minutes while it cooks in the tomato sauce and water. This keeps the pasta moving, helps it cook evenly, and prevents it from sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
This one-pan baked ziti is rich and cheesy, so I like to serve it with a simple green salad, garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or an easy chicken recipe if you want to add protein.
More Pasta Recipes to Try
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If you make this Easy Baked Ziti recipe, I’d love for you to leave a rating and comment below. Your feedback helps other readers and gives them useful tips before they try the recipe themselves.
Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 marinara sauce 28 oz
- 3 cups water
- 16 ounces ziti
- Salt pepper to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet on a medium/high heat and add marinara sauce. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add water, ziti, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes and mix. Cover with a lid and cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring every few minutes, so pasta won’t stick together.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- When the pasta is cooked, turn off the stove, add heavy cream and grated parmesan and mix. Add more salt if needed. Sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese over the pasta.
- Bake at 450°F for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and browned.
Video
Notes
- Use a large, deep skillet so the pasta has enough room to cook evenly in the sauce.
- Stir the ziti every few minutes while it simmers. This is the most important step for preventing the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Keep the skillet covered while the pasta cooks so the liquid does not evaporate too quickly.
- Wait to adjust the salt until after you stir in the Parmesan, since the cheese already adds salty flavor.
- If the pasta looks too thick before baking, add a small splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce.
My mouth was watering as soon as I saw the first photo! I love pasta and this recipe looks so delicious!
Wow this pasta looks delicious and so creamy! Just the weeknight meal I was looking for!
I’ve never thought about making baked ziti in a cast iron skillet — what a great idea. I bet the top and bottom get so nice and crispy!
I’m always ready for pasta but a one-pan pasta dish that’s easy for weeknights, yes, please!
This looks so amazing and I can’t wait to make it! My hubby will be the happiest ever!
No doubt my husbands favorite dinner out there. He’s gonna be so happy when I make this!
I always loved baked ziti, but it seemed so much fuss! This is something you can reasonably do at home on a weeknight. Cool!
That slightly crunchy, cheesy top layer is what I LIVE for! Will you judge me if I just eat it straight out of the pan with a slotted spoon?
Wow that pasta certainly looks comforting, amazing how you prepared this in one pan. That gratinated cheese on top is making me so hungry!
This is the ultimate comfort food, no doubt about it, but I love how quickly this version comes together! Perfect for busy nights!
One pan meals are always stress free for me.I loved your pasta recipe and specially its great for dinner.
This looks so delicious, and I love that it’s a one-pan kind of dish. I’ll definitely be making this on one of our busy weeknights!
If you can cook it in one pan…especially cast iron, count me in. You can never go wrong with a pasta dish any night of the week. Always a family pleaser. Great for stress-free entertaining too.
Love doing pasta bakes, especially this time of year as the weather cools. This one looks so good! This, some crusty bread and vino and I’m set 🙂
Veronika! I saw this on Instagram and had to immediately check it out. This will be on my menu this week. The baked ziti looks fabulous and how great to be able to make it quick in one pan. Perfect for my vegetarian son, too! Great pictures, girl. ❤️
Hi Sally! I am so happy you liked the recipe! Cannot wait to hear feedback from your son;)