Team Dinner Made Easy

The Best Baked Ziti Recipe (Feeds 10–12)

This simple, hearty recipe is always a hit—and bonus, you can double or triple it for bigger groups!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or spaghetti sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes (optional for saucy version)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta: Boil ziti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Brown the meat: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef until fully browned. Drain excess fat.

3. Make the sauce: Add marinara (and crushed tomatoes if using) to the meat. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.

4. Prepare the cheese mix: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup of mozzarella, and half the Parmesan.

5. Assemble: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a greased 9x13 baking dish, layer half of the ziti, half the meat sauce, and half the cheese mixture. Repeat layers.

6. Top it off: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top.

7. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until bubbly and golden.

8. Garnish: Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and let it rest 5–10 minutes before serving.

Serve with garlic bread and a crisp salad, and you’ve got a dinner that disappears fast!

Want More Recipes & Sports Mom Hacks?

✨ From meal plans to printable checklists and end-of-season banquet tips, our VIP list gets exclusive freebies and weekly recipes like this one. Plus, you’ll get our popular PDF:

👉 Join the VIP List Here

Let us help you stress less and show up more—because you deserve that win too.