Ina Garten Baked Ziti

This Ina Garten Baked Ziti is one of the best and easy-to-make baked ziti recipes ever. This quick Baked Ziti is made with ground beef, ricotta cheese, spaghetti tomato sauce, mozzarella, and other tasty ingredients. 

This perfect baked ziti should be baked at 350°F for about 30 minutes or at 375°F for 25 minutes. Serve this cheesy baked ziti with Runner Bean Soup, Yorkshire Pudding, or Pickled Chillies. Please don’t forget to leave your feedback about this tasty Italian casserole recipe.

Baked Ziti Ingredients

• 1 pound dry ziti pasta
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 (26-ounce) jars of spaghetti sauce
• 1 pound ricotta cheese (mixed with 1 egg to make it creamy)
• 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded (brick sliced for the top layer)
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• Dried oregano or basil (optional)

How To Make Baked Ziti

1. Boil The Pasta: Fill a big pot with water and a little salt. Heat it until it boils. Add the ziti pasta. Cook for 8 minutes. Drain the water. If you’re unsure about the pasta quantity, you can use this dry-to-cooked pasta calculator to help you out.
2. Cook The Beef: In a big pan, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until brown. Add the spaghetti sauce. Cook for 15 more minutes.
3. Preheat the Oven: Turn the oven on to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
4. Mix Ricotta: In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with an egg until creamy.
5. Layer the Dish: In a big baking dish, put down some sauce first. Then add some ziti mixed with the ricotta. Add some mozzarella and Parmesan. Sprinkle a little oregano or basil if you like. Repeat these layers.
6. Top with Mozzarella: For a nice look, put sliced mozzarella on top.
7. Bake: Put the Ziti in the oven. Cook for 30 minutes until the cheese melts and it’s hot all the way through.

How Long To Bake Baked Ziti 

Baked Ziti should be baked in the oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes. You can also bake it at 375°F for around 25 minutes, just stay away from higher temperatures like 400 or 450.

Do You Bake Ziti Covered Or Uncovered 

Baked Ziti should be baked uncovered, but if you notice that the top is getting too brown, cover it and continue baking covered for the rest of the time.

What To Serve With Baked Ziti 

I suggest serving Baked Ziti with garlic bread, salad, steamed vegetables, or roasted chicken. This Baked Ziti goes well with red wine, sparkling water, or lemonade.

How To Make Baked Ziti Be Made Ahead Of Time 

To make this Baked Ziti ahead of time, cook the ziti, then mix it with sauce and cheese. Put in a dish and place in the fridge. When ready to eat, heat the oven to 350°F and bake. This Baked Ziti can be made 2 days in advance.

How Long Does Baked Ziti Last In The Fridge 

Baked Ziti can last in the fridge for about 3 to 5 days. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in the fridge.

Can You Freeze Baked Ziti 

Yes, you can freeze Baked Ziti for about 2 to 3 months. To freeze correctly, let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place it in the freezer.

It’s best to reheat frozen Baked Ziti before reheating. Simply transfer to the fridge and thaw overnight.

How To Reheat Baked Ziti 

• In the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the Baked Ziti in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil. Heat for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
• In the Microwave: Place the Baked Ziti in a microwave-safe dish and cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, or until heated through.
• In the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the Baked Ziti in an air fryer-safe dish or directly in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd. Heat for 10-12 minutes or until heated through, shaking the basket or stirring occasionally.

Baked Ziti Nutrition facts

Servings Per Recipe: 10

• Calories: 578
• Total Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Cholesterol: 71mg
• Sodium: 914mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 58g
• Dietary Fiber: 6g
• Total Sugars: 14g
• Protein: 28g

Try More Pasta Recipes:

• Chicken Liver Pasta
• Mascarpone Pasta Recipe
• Pasta Fagioli Soup Recipe
• Goat Cheese Pasta
• Meaty Marinara Pasta
• Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
• Bow Tie Pasta Recipe
• Pasta Bake With Minced Beef