Easy Baked Ziti
This easy baked ziti is a huge family favorite. Creamy, cheesy alfredo pasta topped with a beefy spaghetti sauce! Then topped with melted mozzarella cheese!
A DELICIOUSLY EASY ZITI RECIPE
This is one of my favorite comfort food pasta dishes. I literally make this several times a month for dinner because it is so simple to make and leftovers are fantastic for my work lunch the next day! This one along with my Baked Spaghetti (Spasagna) is the ultimate comfort food for me. Serve it with some Garlic Bread and a salad and I am a happy camper!
I’ve made this several times and I freeze them for those busy nights or when I don’t feel like cooking.I’ve brought them to cookouts and gave some in smaller pans for a couple of elderly neighbors. I’m always asked for the recipe. Thank you for sharing. It’s highly requested!
– Annie
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
I usually use penne pasta because it has those little ridges in it. And those little ridges are really good at hanging onto the pasta sauce. But if you prefer the Ziti pasta, then use that instead of the Penne. This recipe is versatile and you can use almost any other pasta noodle you prefer.
When I make this, I usually purchase an extra jar of spaghetti sauce so we can pour extra sauce over the top when serving.
Absolutely! Or you can try using different flavored alfredo sauces – like garlic or basil.
Yes, of course. Whatever you prefer. Ground pork can also be used.
Want an extra kick? Try adding some ground Italian sausage to the mixture!
Yes. Like most pasta baked dishes, you can assemble it all the night before, cover with foil and put into the refrigerator then bake the next day. You will probably have to add a few minutes to the baking time since you are starting everything from a cold state.
Yes! Like most pasta dishes this freezes very well. Just cover properly to protect against freezer burn and it will keep for up to 3 months.
Allow it to cool fully then put it in a covered container and into the refrigerator where it will keep for up to 3 days.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- ground beef – you can use Italian sausage, ground pork or pretty much any ground meat you prefer.
- spaghetti sauce – I really love Rao’s pasta sauce when I can get it on sale. It’s so good! Use a sauce that you enjoy and is in your budget. Or you can make your own Homemade Marinara Sauce.
- alfredo sauce – use your favorite storebosugh alfredo sauce or make your own from scratch. I have a delicious homemade alfredo sauce that I make for my Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo recipe.
- penne, ziti or rigatoni pasta – you can use any pasta that is of similar size and you’ll want to use the same amount.
- onion – if you also enjoy adding peppers to your sauces, you would add it in at the same time you add the onion.
- shredded mozzarella – shred your own or use store bought pre-shredded cheese
HOW TO MAKE EASY BAKED ZITI:
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Prepare pasta according to directions. In a medium sauce pan, brown ground beef with onion (if using.) After beef is browned and crumbled, drain excess grease.
Put back in pot and pour in jar of spaghetti sauce. Keep mixture on low until pasta is done. When pasta is finished, drain well. You want the pasta as dry as possible. Put pasta back in large pot (with heat off).
Pour in jar of alfredo sauce. Combine until thoroughly coated. Pour pasta mixture into bottom of 9×13-inch dish.
Cover pasta with spaghetti sauce mixture and spread it out evenly.
Sprinkle top with mozzarella cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. I like to spray the inside of my foil with nonstick spray so the cheese doesn’t stick to it. Or you could use nonstick aluminum foil.
Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest for about 5 minutes after taking out of oven.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Originally published: May 2011
Updated and republished: July 2025
Easy Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta (or ziti or rigatoni)
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 24 ounce jar of your favorite pasta sauce (see notes below)
- 16 ounce jar garlic alfredo sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- dried parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Prepare 1 pound penne pasta according to directions until al dente.
- In a medium sauce pan, brown and crumble 1 pound ground beef with ½ yellow onion, diced. Once cooked, drain any excess grease and put back into pan.
- Put back in pot and pour in 24 ounce jar of your favorite pasta sauce. Keep mixture on low heat until pasta is done.
- When pasta is finished, drain well. You want the pasta as dry as possible.
- Put pasta back into the large pot (with heat off) and pour in 16 ounce jar garlic alfredo sauce. Combine until thoroughly coated.
- Pour pasta mixture into bottom of the 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cover pasta with pasta sauce mixture. Spread evenly.
- Sprinkle top evenly with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover with nonstick aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest for about 5 minutes after taking out of oven. Optional: sprinkle the top with a little dried parsley.
- Serve portions onto plates, and pour additional pasta sauce on top (optional)
Video
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
- If you like your baked ziti extra saucy, pick up an extra jar of pasta sauce. Warm it up and use it to add additional sauce to individual servings.
- Feel free to add one diced green pepper and 2 cloves minced garlic to the ground beef an onion mixture.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Hey Brandie, I made this for dinner tonight and wanted to thank you! It was very good!! It makes a lot so we will be enjoying leftovers! Again…Thanks!!
You’re the best Kim – thank you so much!!
I love this recipe and have been using it for years now, I love your site, there hasn’t been one recipe here that my family doesn’t love! Whenever I say I’m baking baked ziti the boys (hubby and son) lol are very happy about it 🙂 I’ve made it for my sister’s family of 6 a few times and her picky little ones gobble it up! I always refer back here whenever I make it and since I’m about to make it now I thought “why haven’t I left a comment?” Five stars!!
Love this recipe and so do my kiddos!! Question – is the 368 Cal for 1 serving or for the entire dish? Thank you!
Hey Erinn!! I am SO happy to hear that – yay!! Thank you! That amount is per serving. However, I always tell everyone (I even have a DISCLOSURE on my site here) that you should use your own trusted nutrition calculator. My recipe card does it automatically but should not be used for dietary or health purposes.:)
This is a family favorite! I’ve tweaked the recipe a bit. I use ground Italian sausage instead of the ground beef and I add sautéed mushrooms. We also made it with grilled chicken instead of the ground meat. All have been delicious but the ground sausage is our fave!
Thank you so very much! I love the variety you brought to it as well. So awesome to get great feedback like this. Thanks Kimberlee!
This recipe is Delicious!!!! Makes a whole lot!!!
This is a big hit in our house! I’ve been making it a few times a month for the last year. I have VERY picky boys and they LOVE this recipe. Thank you for sharing!
I absolutely love hearing that!! Thanks so much Lori!!
Excellent recipe! The children loved it!!
Love hearing that Marvin! Thank you so much!
I see there is a box of cream cheese in the pic of ingredients. Where is that used?
Hi Christi! I am not sure what you’re seeing there. There’s no cream cheese in this…
I think the confusion is with the bag of cheese. At first glance, it does look like a box of cream cheese but it is actually the bag of mozzarella that contains a bit of Philadelphia cream cheese.
This was really good. Makes a whole lot of food!!!!
So happy you enjoyed it Bobbi! Thank you for coming back to review!
This was a thumbs up from everybody! My 11 year old can be a little picky and he raved about it! i had some shredded chicken left over and i used it instead of the ground beef and I omitted the onion This will definitely become a go to meal especially on soccer nights because it is so easy! Thank you for posting!
I am a little confused. Your list of ingredients only mentions one jar of spaghetti sauce, yet in the directions, it refers to two jars of spaghetti sauce in addition to the alfredo sauce.
Hi Bev! The second can is optional. It can be used when serving but is not necessary/ It just depends on how much sauce you like. 🙂
Wow this was really good! It also freezes well.
Thank you for this amazing recipe!! This turned out fantastic. Even my son who is INCREDIBLY picky ate his entire plate full. I didn’t add extra sauce but could see how it would be good with it on there. My oldest said it tasted a bit like lasagna. I did put a layer of cheese between the noodle mixture and meat mixture. I will definitely be making this again real soon.
The recipe was easy enough, my family liked it. I really didn’t care for it. But then, I’m not big on Italian food either.
Love this recipe. I have made several times. Do you think I can make in the crockpot? Wanted to take for a potluck. Was going to double everything and add right to the crockpot and not cook the noodles first. Do you have any other suggestions?
How about adding ricotta cheese?
If you love Ricotta then I say go for it! 🙂
Made this last night for dinner and I have a picky crowd. My family doesn’t like to try new things as I do. I made it axacly the same that shows in picture besides added more spaghetti sauce based on other comments which I think it needed and did 1/2 ground beef and 1/2 spicy Italian sausage. I was a big hit! Definitely a keeper. Thank you it was was delicious!
Can I double this recipe to have some to freeze? If so is it just doubling all ingredients?
How many servings do you get? I’m having 6 adults. And 3 very young kids. They love ziti and I want to make enough.
Hi Christine, I responded to the email you sent me. 🙂
Can you use cheddar shredded cheese?
If that is what you enjoy – sure!
Brilliant idea to use Alfredo. Makes it so creamy. I have made so many ziti recipes and they always turn out dry. I also have never thought to use extra sauce for the top. Great idea. This will definitely be a regular on my menu. Delicious!
We have had this several times now, and absolutely love it! I’ve switched the ground beef to a pound of ground Italian sausage, and added fresh sliced mushrooms on top of the pasta before pouring the spaghetti sauce on! Yum! This is a definite keeper! Thanks for sharing!
Hello this recipe looks so yummy. I was wondering do you use any spices . Thanks…. I was going to make this tonight. I can’t wait to try!!!!
Made this recipe once before and it was so delicious. Making again this week. Everyone loves it, made exactly as you posted.
Thank you for this amazing recipe.
Not bad for an easy bake ziti recipe. I mix Italian sausage into the meat mix. Going to keep this recipe in my rotation.
I made this last night in the hopes that this would finally be the baked ziti my husband liked (he’s typically not a fan). He loved it! We both very much enjoyed it and are having the leftovers tonight. Super quick and easy for this busy mom, too!
OMG! Amazing!!
just made this used smoked Gouda cheese with the mozzarella very good
i meant cheese not cheese cake lol its very good thank you for the post
No problem Ted! I knew what you meant! It’s fixed. Thank you!!!
Hi!
Does the 32 ounces of spaghetti sauce include 16 ounces to mix in with the beef and 16 ounces to top it with, or is it 32 ounces to mix in with the beef, and you need another 16 ounces to top?
Making tonight.
Thanks!
Kristen
Hi Kristen! It’s 32 ounces (the whole jar) that mixes with the beef. I hope that helps. Sorry for any confusion! 🙂
This is a wonderful recipe. So easy and makes great leftovers. Thanks for sharing.
Made this last night and loved it! Easy and delicious. I do agree with having extra sauce on hand. I ate some leftovers today with a bit of the pasta sauce alone added, but am debating making the hamburger/sauce mixture again to add to the left overs (can use extra for a different dish) and possibly adding some alfredo sauce to to the bottom of the plate? Just wondering how everyone else has reheated their leftovers considering the sauces and whether using the oven for the whole pain or microwave for individual servings works best? Thank you again for your great recipes!
This was a total hit with my family. I used Bertolli garlic Alfredo sauce and bertolli meat marinara sauce and my family loved it
Woot! Thank you Angelina!
is there a way to make it without the alfredo? anything i could substitute. trying to keep the calories down. going to use barilla protein plus penne pasta and lean ground beef.
Yum. Made this over at a friend’s house who didn’t have a baking pan so I put it in the oven in a giant pan, worked out just fan. Very easy and perfect recipe to make at someone’s house. Thanks !
This was easy and fast fast just what I was looking for! Interestingly enough this tasted surprisingly close to Stouffers lasagna.
No salt and pepper?
???? Maybe you could use the salt and pepper in the individual meals… win win.????
This was great. My husband doesn’t really like Ziti but he really liked this one. He took leftovers to work and he never does that. I used Sweet Italian sausage instead of hamburger since that is what we had on hand. It turned out great. Thanks so much.
Hey! My family absolutely loves this recipe! We are working to eat healthier (including less calories at dinner) so I’ve been counting calories. My question is how did you get your calorie count? I’ve totaled it and I get 3690. If I divide that by 6 that’s 615 per serving. My ground beef is 88/12 so maybe that’s where a lot of the calories differ. Thank you for the amazing recipe!!!
Can you make this dish ahead and put in ref. till ready to bake?
Thank You, this was quick weekday dinner. Easy and tasty. I used creamy mozzarella. Look forward to trying next time with Parmesan Garlic.
Hi!! We absolutely loved this dish!!
Sorry meant 32oz jar pasta sauce
Is it one 32oz jar of pasta & you use half with meat and heat up the other half to pour on top?
Hi Dayle! You’ll want to use the whole jar with the meat sauce. And if you’d like, you can buy another jar of marinara to serve with the ziti. But it’s not necessary! We just like a lot of sauce 🙂
I make this dish for dinner and my family loved it!! This will be one of my favorite easy dish to make for the family…. Thanks
I’ve made this twice already, and wow, what a great meal! My boyfriend loves it too. If you freeze it, do you assemble it completely, cheese and all? Then freeze, oven to 350 for any extended amount of time or will the 15 mins with foil and 15 mins without be sufficient timing? Thanks! LOVE the recipe!!
Another great recipe! Made it tonight, I added a baby spinach layer and my 6 year old gobbled it up! Win-Win!
Thank you for this recipe. My picky husband loves this and will eat leftovers for days after I make it.
Found on Pinterest. I love this. I make this often in my meal rotation. I do not use the onion. And only use 1 jar of spaghetti sauce. Thank you for the recipe!!
I’m a college student and hate onions so I didn’t add those in but I love this easy recipe
I’m even cooking it for work today!
Nice! Love hearing that Jordyn!!
Love this recipe! I’m in my first trimester and can’t stand cooking hamburger meat, so I used sausage (strange, yes?). Then I didn’t have alfredo, so I used some homemade bechamel that I had frozen. Amazing! Thanks for sharing this quick and yummy dish. My 2 littles and my hubby (and I) all enjoy it!
I doubled this recipe for Christmas Eve and made it exactly as written. It was fantastic. Everyone absolutely loved it. I made two pans in the morning, put in refrigerator. Let sit at room temperature before putting in oven. Baked about 15 minutes longer. Thank you so much. It was so easy for a very busy holiday!
All I had was macaroni but was a huge success! When I cooked the hamburger I added the onion, green peppers, fresh mushrooms, and garlic. Then added plain sauce to those that wanted it. Phenomenal!!!
Hi Bobbie! This makes my day to read! So thrilled you loved it – thank you!!
I only use one can/jar of spaghetti sauce and instead of ground beef I use Italian sausage and no onion. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon for a different taste.