Baked ziti is like lasagna’s fun, slightly chaotic cousin—it’s just as cheesy and comforting, but much less work. It’s messy, gooey, and over-the-top in all the best ways.

This baked ziti is one of my family’s favorite baked pasta dishes. It’s hearty, cozy, and impossible to mess up. And it’s got all the good stuff: layers of rich tomato sauce, melty cheese and, of course, ziti noodles (0r whatever pasta shape happens to be hanging out in the pantry).

Some keep it simple with just tomato or marinara sauce. That, of course, would never fly in this house. There must be meat. Meat there must be. I use a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage to give the sauce a deep, savory flavor.

And then there’s the cheese. Oh, the cheese. Some people go for straight mozzarella; others stir in a gooey cheese mixture. I’m in the latter camp, and oh-my-ever-loving goodness is this glorious.

This casserole will make enough to feed a small crowd—or one very hungry family—with leftovers to spare.

Serve it up with garlic bread and a big green salad and you’ve got yourself one seriously satisfying supper.

What’s the difference between baked ziti and lasagna?

It all comes down to the pasta shape and how the dish is assembled. Lasagna uses… well, lasagna noodles! The wide, flat noodles are layered with cheese and sauce in a baking dish. Baked ziti, on the other hand, uses ziti pasta (short, tube-shaped noodles) that are stirred together with a hearty meat sauce and cheese. There’s still some layering when it goes into a baking dish, but it’s faster and easier to make than lasagna.

Can you leave out the sausage in baked ziti?

You bet! If you’re not into Italian sausage or just don’t have any on hand, you can absolutely swap it out. Use 2 pounds of ground beef instead—it’ll still give you that delicious meaty bite.

Does baked ziti contain ricotta cheese?

It sure does. Ricotta gives baked ziti that great texture we all love. I mix it with two other types of cheese and an egg to create a creamy mixture that coats the pasta. Cottage cheese makes a great stand-in if you don’t have ricotta.

Can baked ziti be made ahead of time?

Definitely! You can put the whole thing together up to two days in advance. Just cover the unbaked dish and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it. You’ll need to cook it 15 minutes (or so) longer than these directions say if it’s coming from the fridge.

How long does baked ziti last in the fridge?

This recipe makes great leftovers! This baked ziti can be stored for up to 4 days in the fridge. Just be sure to wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Alternatively, you can store leftovers in an airtight container.

Can you freeze baked ziti?

Absolutely! Assemble it in a freezer-safe baking dish, then wrap the dish tightly with foil and freeze it for up to three months. Let the baked ziti thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake it as directed, adding about 15 minutes to the bake time until it’s hot and bubbly.

What is a good side dish for baked ziti?

With all of the hearty meat sauce and rich, gooey cheese in this dish, pair baked ziti with sides that are light and crisp. I love to serve this with a fresh green salad. And don’t even think about skipping the garlic cheese bread.

Can you use a different type of pasta for baked ziti?

Totally! If you don’t have ziti noodles, any short pasta, like penne or rigatoni will work just fine. The key is to pick a sturdy, tube-shaped pasta that holds up to all that yummy sauce and cheese.

What’s the best cheese combo for baked ziti?

The magic is in the mix! This baked ziti includes a trio of cheeses: creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and sharp parmesan. Together, they make every bite rich and melty with just the right hint of saltiness.