Baked Ziti with Easy Meat Sauce

This baked ziti with an easy homemade meat sauce and melty mozzarella is the answer to all your weeknight dinner problems. No boiling noodles! Minimal prep and such big flavor!

One pot dinners truly save my life on busy weeknights. Lately I’ve been having the most fun with baked pastas. My Lazy Lasagna Penne Bake, Creamy Chicken Orzo Bake, and Easy Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake are a few recent favorites.

This baked ziti is so simple. No boiling pasta! We’re just browning the ground meat and then layering all the ingredients in a baking dish. The pasta cooks with everything else in the oven! The end result is perfectly cooked ziti covered in a flavorful tomato sauce and melty mozzarella.

This is the kind of entree that both adults and children alike get excited about. A thing that’s very important to me as a mom! This is designed to be a complete meal but of course you can pair it with a green salad or roasted veggie too.

Ingredients for Baked Ziti with Easy Meat Sauce

• Lean ground beef or turkey: You can use either lean ground beef or ground turkey in the meat sauce for this baked pasta.
• Minced garlic: You can mince your own garlic or use a jarred variety.
• Canned crushed tomatoes: Canned crushed tomatoes quickly help us achieve the flavor we want for our homemade sauce.
• Canned tomato sauce: Canned tomato sauce gives us the texture we’re looking for in our finished sauce. It’s also the liquid that our penne will cook in.
• Ziti: We’re baking the ziti in the tomato sauce to make the easiest one pot meal!
• Shredded mozzarella: After the pasta is nearly done baking we’re adding shredded mozzarella over top and popping it back in the oven. That melty cheesy goodness is the perfect finishing touch!
• Seasonings: Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper amp up the flavor of this easy one pot meal.

How to Make Baked Ziti with Easy Meat Sauce

A detailed list of ingredients (with measurements) and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray the sides and bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. (I use an avocado oil spray.)

Add your ground beef (or turkey) to a large skillet on the stovetop. Use a spatula to crumble the meat. Cook on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned. Stir in the minced garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Sauté until garlic is golden in color, about one minute.

Add the cooked ground meat with garlic to the prepared baking dish. Stir in canned crushed tomatoes, canned tomato sauce, water, Italian seasoning, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper to the prepared baking dish. Then add the ziti noodles and stir so everything is mixed together. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese in a layer on top.

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove from the oven. Uncover and bake again (without foil) for an additional 15 minutes.

After baking let it sit for 10-15 minutes so the sauce continues to thicken. I like to sprinkle chopped fresh basil on top right after baking for an even better presentation but this is optional.

How to Store Leftovers

Want to enjoy this recipe the next day or later in the week? This recipe is great for meal prep! Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave.

How to Serve Baked Ziti

This dish is designed to be a standalone meal but I love it paired with something green to balance the richness of the pasta. My Easy Homemade Italian Dressing over a simple salad or my Parmesan Kale Salad are popular choices. Sautéed Garlic Green Beans or Air Fryer Green Beans are also delicious sides if you’d like more veggies!

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