The Coziest Baked Ziti Recipe for Your Family Dinner Table

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering baked ziti recipe that promises pure cheesy delight.

Layers of perfectly cooked pasta mingle with rich marinara sauce and melted cheese in a way that transforms an ordinary dinner into a celebration.

Hearty and satisfying, this dish brings warmth to your table with minimal effort.

Each forkful combines robust Italian flavors that dance across your palate with remarkable harmony.

Bubbling with golden-brown edges and a creamy interior, this ziti delivers restaurant-quality goodness straight from your oven.

Weeknight meals or weekend gatherings will never be the same once you serve this crowd-pleasing classic that guarantees smiles around the dinner table.

Serving Up Avocado Melt Sandwiches

• Comfort Corner Companions: Pair this ziti with a crisp green salad topped with balsamic vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast.
• Bread Basket Bliss: Serve warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread on the side to soak up extra sauce and add delightful texture.
• Family Style Feast: Create a cozy dinner experience by placing the baking dish in the center of the table, letting everyone serve themselves directly from the pan.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Complement the rich, cheesy ziti with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to enhance the meal's overall flavor profile.

How to Store Avocado Melt Sandwiches

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Transfer ziti to a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of water or extra marinara sauce to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place ziti in a baking dish, cover with foil to retain moisture. Warm for 15-20 minutes, removing foil in the last 5 minutes to crisp the cheese top.

FAQs

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, simply skip the ground beef or sausage and add extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini for more flavor and nutrition.

• What if I don't have ziti pasta?

No problem! You can substitute with other short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or mostaccioli that hold sauce well.

• How can I make this dish more cheesy?

Add an extra layer of cheese or mix in some cream cheese with the ricotta for a richer, creamier texture.

• Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely! Baked ziti reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it perfect for preparing ahead of time.

Chicken Avocado Melt – Why It’s Loved

• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: Dive into a one-pan wonder that transforms dinner prep from stressful to stress-free, with minimal dishes and maximum flavor packed into every bite.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Satisfy hungry family members and guests with a classic Italian-inspired dish that combines creamy cheese, hearty pasta, and rich marinara sauce in perfect harmony.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ground beef for sausage, add extra vegetables, or experiment with different cheese blends to make this recipe uniquely yours while keeping the core deliciousness intact.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready, making it ideal for busy weeknights or potluck gatherings where time is of the essence.

Ingredients for Chicken Avocado Melt

• Ziti Pasta: A classic pasta shape perfect for absorbing the rich sauce and creating a hearty main dish.
• Marinara Sauce: A classic Italian tomato-based sauce that adds vibrant flavor to the baked ziti.
• Ricotta Cheese: A creamy, soft cheese that provides a smooth and rich texture to the dish.

• Ground Beef, Italian Sausage: Protein-packed options that add depth and savory flavor to the baked ziti.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Melty mozzarella creates a gooey top layer, while Parmesan adds a sharp and salty finish.

• Garlic, Basil, Oregano, Salt, Pepper: Aromatic herbs and seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• Olive Oil: A classic cooking oil that helps sauté ingredients and adds a subtle richness.

How to Make Avocado Melt Sandwiches

Step 1: Crank Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375°F and get ready for some serious ziti magic.

Step 2: Boil the Pasta

Toss your ziti into a pot of salted boiling water and cook until perfectly al dente.

Drain and set aside, letting the pasta rest and dream of cheesy goodness.

Step 3: Sizzle and Brown

Grab a skillet and pour in some olive oil.

Toss in minced garlic and let it dance until fragrant.

• Ground beef
• Italian sausage

Brown the meat completely, breaking it into delicious crumbly bits.

Step 4: Create the Flavor Explosion

• Marinara sauce
• Ricotta cheese
• Fresh basil
• Dried oregano
• Half of the mozzarella cheese

Sprinkle in salt and pepper to make your taste buds sing.

Step 5: Assemble the Cheesy Masterpiece

Pour the ziti mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

• Remaining mozzarella
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Watch for the cheese to melt into a golden, bubbly blanket of deliciousness.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Let the ziti cool for a few minutes.

This allows the flavors to mingle and makes serving easier.

Scoop out generous portions and enjoy the ultimate comfort food.

Tips for Melty Avocado Sandwiches

• Slightly undercook the ziti by 1-2 minutes for al dente texture when baking, preventing mushy pasta.
• Use high-quality marinara for deeper flavor; homemade or premium jarred sauce works best.
• Mix half the mozzarella into the pasta and sprinkle remaining on top for better melting and golden-brown crust.
• Swap ground beef with turkey or plant-based crumbles for healthier protein alternatives.
• Add fresh chopped parsley or basil after baking for bright, fresh flavor and beautiful garnish.

Tasty Variations for Chicken Melts

• Gluten-Free Ziti: Replace regular ziti with gluten-free pasta made from rice or corn. Use gluten-free marinara sauce and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegetarian Ziti: Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles, roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or mushrooms. Add extra herbs for deeper flavor profile.
• Spicy Mexican Ziti: Incorporate chorizo, jalapeños, pepper jack cheese. Add cumin, chili powder, and top with fresh cilantro for southwestern kick.
• Low-Carb Ziti: Substitute pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Use lean ground turkey and reduced-fat cheeses to maintain lighter macronutrient balance.

Best Baked Ziti Ever Recipe

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4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting layers of ziti pasta dance with rich marinara and melted cheeses in this irresistible Italian-American classic. Creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and savory parmesan create a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Meat:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ziti pasta
• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)

Cheeses:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Sauce:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) marinara sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 375°F, preparing a perfect environment for melting cheese and creating a crispy top layer.
2. Boil ziti pasta in salted water until al dente, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, adding minced garlic and sautéing until aromatic.
4. If desired, brown ground meat in the same skillet, ensuring complete cooking and breaking into small crumbles.
5. Combine cooked pasta with marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, fresh chopped basil, dried oregano, and half of the shredded mozzarella in a large mixing bowl.
6. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper, stirring gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
7. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and transfer the pasta mixture, spreading it out in an even layer.
8. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese across the top, creating a generous cheese coverage.
9. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese turns golden and slightly bubbling.
10. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes, helping the dish set and making it easier to serve.

Notes

• Enhance flavor by using homemade marinara sauce for a richer, more authentic taste.
• Opt for fresh herbs like basil and oregano instead of dried to elevate the dish’s aroma and taste.
• Create a vegetarian version by substituting ground meat with roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers.
• Reduce carbohydrate content by using low-carb pasta alternatives such as zucchini noodles or cauliflower pasta for a lighter meal.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 460 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg