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Best Baked Ziti Casserole

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By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated Dec 15, 2023
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Move over lasagna! Our best ziti recipe has all the flavor and lusciousness of lasagna but can be prepped and in the oven in half the time. It’s full of flavor and hearty comfort food at its best. There’s no doubt everyone will want seconds!

What Is Baked Ziti?

Baked ziti ingredients are similar to lasagna ingredients but a lot less work to make it! A flavor-packed meaty sauce is made with Italian pork sausage, (which adds a lot of flavor) tomato-Parmesan soup, and ziti pasta noodles. It’s topped with a ricotta and mozzarella cheesy layer and baked in a casserole.

How Do You Serve Baked Ziti?

Make it an Italian night! Our baked ziti recipe is delicious with garlic bread and a crisp green salad.

More About This Recipe

  • We love this recipe when we’re in the mood for lasagna, but don’t have the time to make it! It’s like a trip to an Italian restaurant when served with our favorite garlic bread and Caesar Salad recipes. For extra fun, serve dinner on red checkered tablecloth and play some Italian music in the background!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Italian pork sausage?

Our best baked ziti recipe calls for Italian pork sausage, which usually contains garlic and fennel seed. If you like, use hot Italian pork sausage which also contains red pepper flakes for some heat.

What can I use if I don’t have an 11x7-inch baking dish?

An 11x7-inch dish holds 2-quarts, so you can use a 2-quart square, round or oval dish instead.

Can I make baked ziti ahead?

Yes! You can make it through Step 4 up to 24 hours in advance. Refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake it. Continue as directed in step 5. You may need to add a few additional minutes to the bake time, since it will be cold coming from the refrigerator. The dish may be less saucy, as the some of the sauce will soak into the pasta during refrigeration.

Best Baked Ziti Casserole

  • Prep Time 30 min
  • Total 60 min
  • Servings 6
  • Ingredients 9
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked ziti pasta (6 oz)
  • 1 lb bulk Italian pork sausage
  • 1 can Progresso™ (18.5 oz) heart healthy tomato soup with Parmesan
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz)
  • Chopped fresh basil leaves, if desired

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    Heat oven to 375°F.
  • Step 
    2
    Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. In 12-inch skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink; drain. Add soup, pepper and cooked pasta; stir well.
  • Step 
    3
    In small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese and egg.
  • Step 
    4
    Spoon pasta mixture into ungreased 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish. Spoon ricotta cheese mixture on top; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Spray sheet of foil with cooking spray; cover baking dish with foil, sprayed side down.
  • Step 
    5
    Bake 25 to 30 minutes, removing foil last 10 minutes of bake time, until cheese melts and mixture is hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with basil.

Nutrition

410 Calories
20g Total Fat
24g Protein
33g Total Carbohydrate
4g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
410
Calories from Fat
180
Total Fat
20g
31%
Saturated Fat
9g
43%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
85mg
29%
Sodium
850mg
35%
Potassium
220mg
6%
Total Carbohydrate
33g
11%
Dietary Fiber
2g
10%
Sugars
4g
Protein
24g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
10%
10%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
35%
35%
Iron
10%
10%
Exchanges:
2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 High-Fat Meat; 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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