I am always looking for easy meals that I can put together in under 30 minutes. This baked ziti can also be prepared ahead of time and placed in the refrigerator and reheated for 15 minutes before serving!
I know I might not be in the majority, but I don't love all that cheese that go in traditional baked ziti.
You know what I'm talking about, soft cheese, like ricotta? And by the way, I am Italian too.
I absolutely do no like it and I never will. I hate the soft, gushy texture and everything else that goes with it.
If you are looking for some other healthier comfort food recipes, you should try this Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup, One Dish Salsa Pasta Chicken Bake, Cheesy Pesto Stuffed Chicken Breasts or this Zucchini Ravioli.
All of these would be even more yummy with some Low Carb Bulletproof Hot Chocolate, Apple Chai Latte, Eggnog Latte and definitely some Spiked Apple Cider!
Also, my cookbooks are both on sale now and would make a great gift! The Everything Wheat Free Diet Cookbook and The Greek Yogurt Cookbook are both the lowest prices I have seen!
Why You Should Make This Easy Baked Ziti
This ziti is so easy, mainly because it only uses shredded mozzarella for cheese. Oh and maybe some grated Parmesan for topping, but that's it.
I have never liked any soft cheeses EVER. But ricotta and cottage cheese are on the top of my list for cheese I despise.
Maybe it's the lumps? Of course it has to be the lumps...
I make this all the time for my family and prepare it ahead of time and place it in the refrigerator until it's ready to cook. It doesn't get much easier than this.
Recipe Ingredients
- Pasta- I usually use rigatoni because it is larger and more substantial, but you can use whatever pasta you'd like or have in the house.
- Ground turkey- You can also use ground beef or ground chicken in this baked ziti recipe.
- Onion
- Garlic
- Crushed Tomatoes- I like to use these crushed tomatoes in an eco-friendly carton but you can use whatever ones you like or find in the grocery store.
- Tomato Sauce- I love to use this marinara sauce because there is no added sugar and it tastes the most like homemade suace!
- Basil
- Oregano
- salt and pepper
- Mozzarella cheese- I personally buy whole milk blocks of mozzarella cheese and shred it myself using this shredder but you can also buy pre-shred cheese.
- Parmesan cheese- I use fresh grated Parmesan cheese in this recipe because it offers a better taste and texture.
How To Make This Easy Baked Ziti
This really is super easy to make. Simply cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package, drain and set aside.
Brown the ground meat until no longer pink. Add garlic, onion, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring to a boil.
Simmer until done and spoon the meat into the remaining sauce. Add pasta to meat sauce and mix well.
Top with desired cheese and bake!
I told you it was ridiculously easy, but it's one of those recipes that everyone loves and it looks like you spent a long time preparing. It's perfect for busy weeknights and holiday parties!
Recipe FAQ's and Expert Tips
Some people cover it before placing it in the oven, but I keep it super easy and cook it uncovered.
I like to pour half the pasta/meat mixture in the casserole dish and then top with half of the shredded cheese, then pour the remaining mixture and top with the rest of the shredded mozzarella to prevent the dish from drying out.
If you are cooking the baked ziti coming right out of the refrigerator, you might want to cook for an additional 10 minutes or so until all the cheese has melted and top is lightly browned.
Related Recipes
One Dish Salsa Pasta Chicken Bake from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta from Damn Delicious
Healthy Pasta Primavera from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Tuscan Chicken Pasta from Healthy Fitness Meals
Gluten Free Shrimp Caprese Pasta from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
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The Easiest Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta of choice
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 can
- 15 ounces tomato sauce 1 can
- 1 teaspoon ground basil
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese for topping optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add pasta, and cook for 7 minutes until al dente.
- In a medium skillet, add the ground turkey. Cook for 15 minutes until no longer pink and thoroughly cooked. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, add the oil. Cook the onion and garlic over medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes until soft. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, making sure to stir every few minutes so the sauce doesn’t stick. Spoon some sauce into a 21⁄2-quart casserole dish so the bottom is covered (to ensure the pasta won’t stick to the bottom). Take 1 cup of sauce mixture and set aside. Spoon the meat into the remaining sauce.
- Add pasta to meat sauce and mix well.
- Add mozzarella cheese, mix again. Sprinkle the top with Parmesan cheese.
- Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent drying if you'd like ( I usually leave it uncovered) and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and continue to bake another 10 minutes until the cheese has melted. Let sit for 10 minutes, and serve with the reserved cup of sauce.
Mary
No ricotta in my quarantine pantry but I had some ground turkey I needed to use up ASAP. I used jarred pasta sauce because I had that and didn't have crushed tomatoes. Otherwise followed the recipe. It came out great! I didn't miss the ricotta at all.
lauren.kelly
So glad you liked it! Stay healthy!
Meagan
I’ve made this multiple times and it’s honestly been a hit every time! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
lauren.kelly
Yay! So glad you liked it!
Healthy Kitchen 101
White-colored cheese, yellow-colored pasta and red meat are the most delicious combination in winter days 🙂
- Natalie
lauren.kelly
I agree!
Eur eka
Nice recipe, just as good with no-salt sauce and low-fat mozzarella for those on a cardiac diet---a great 'no ricotta' alternative, and pretty fast from prep to table... thanks for posting this tasty casserole.
lauren.kelly
I am so happy you liked it! Thanks for stopping by!
Simone
Just made this and it is so tasty and easy to make! Just added a bit more salt. Will be making this many more times for sure!
akos
can't wait to try this tonight
lauren.kelly
I hope you love it too!
Lizzy
Hi, can I make this without meat,onions and garlic? My family is pretty picky and aren't so keen on those. Thank You!
lauren.kelly
Absolutely Lizzy! Maybe add some veggies that they do like? Tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, you name it!
keedra
I made this for my family and they enjoyed it.
lauren.kelly
I love to hear that Keedra, thank you!
Monika
I'm not afraid of food and I get my kids to try eating different foods all the time. I wish people would stop saying picky eater and challenge themselves. 🙂
Love the recipe. Will serve it up soon for sure with a delicious raw spinach, apple and cranberry salad.
lauren.kelly
I hope you like it Monika! And that salad sounds delicious too 🙂
Rose
If this tastes half as good as it looks it doesn't stand a chance of making it to "next-day leftovers" status 🙂
lauren.kelly
There probably won't be any leftovers Rose 🙂
Cyndi @ My Kitchen Craze
Perfect for dinner!! Don't worry I am just as picky as my kids! We would all love this ziti thought! Pinned! 😉
lauren.kelly
Thanks Cyndi!
Kim @ The Celebration Shoppe
Sounds amazing. I might skip the meat (because my boys... such picky eaters) and try it for the whole family. 🙂
lauren.kelly
I hope everyone likes it Kim!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
Love easy meals like this! This ziti would disappear in no time at our house!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Jessica!
Christie
We are a more cheese the better family. My family would be happy with the cheese in this delicious ziti. They wouldn't miss the ricotta at all.
lauren.kelly
I totally agree Christie! 🙂
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
Andddd.. now I want pasta and its 8am! Sheesh! This sounds awesome Lauren, love the recipe girl!
lauren.kelly
Pasta for breakfast Krista!! 😉