Ultimate Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe

There is a specific kind of hunger that only a bubbling dish of pasta and red sauce can satisfy, especially after a long week.

My version of Cheese Baked Ziti skips the traditional ricotta for a secret ingredient that makes every bite impossibly smooth and rich.

Why This Cheese Baked Ziti Works Every Time

The magic lies in using mascarpone cheese instead of ricotta, which completely eliminates that grainy texture you often find in baked pastas.

You get a luscious, velvety layer that melts perfectly into the homemade tomato sauce without drying out in the oven.

I love how this dish feels fancy enough for guests but is actually simple enough to throw together on a regular Tuesday night.

If you enjoyed this cozy meal, you have to try my Hearty Loaded Broccoli Chicken Soup Recipe for another warming dinner option, and the Cozy White Lasagna Soup Recipe delivers those same Italian flavors in bowl form.

Everything You Need for Perfect Cheese Baked Ziti

Here are the simple ingredients you will need to gather:

• Beef bacon: This adds a salty, smoky depth similar to pancetta without using pork, though you can skip it for a vegetarian version.
• Onion: A large yellow or white onion provides the aromatic base for the sauce.
• Garlic: You will need fresh cloves for both the red sauce and the creamy cheese mixture.
• Red pepper flakes: A pinch adds just the right amount of background heat to cut through the richness.
• Tomato paste: This thickens the sauce and adds a concentrated, savory tomato flavor.
• Tomato sauce: Use a standard can of plain tomato sauce for the liquid base.
• Crushed tomatoes: These provide texture and body to the meat sauce.
• Ziti: This tube-shaped pasta is perfect for holding onto the thick sauce and cheese.
• Mascarpone cheese: This Italian cream cheese is the secret to the silky, non-grainy filling.
• Fresh mozzarella: I recommend buying a ball and shredding it yourself for the best melt.
• Provolone cheese: This adds a sharper flavor profile that balances the mild mozzarella.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning both the pasta water and the layers of the dish.

My Method for Perfect Cheese Baked Ziti

Let’s get cooking with these simple steps:

1. Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped beef bacon and sauté it until it becomes slightly crisp and renders its fat, which usually takes about five minutes. Toss in the chopped onion and minced garlic, then lower the heat and cook them gently for another five minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in the red pepper flakes and tomato paste, cooking for two minutes to deepen the color before pouring in the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and salt. Let this mixture simmer on low for about 25 minutes to meld the flavors together.
2. While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the Cheese Baked Ziti noodles according to the package directions. You want to drain them while they are still slightly firm to the bite, as they will continue cooking in the oven later. Pour the drained pasta back into the pot and toss it with about two-thirds of your simmered red sauce, reserving the rest for layering.
3. Prepare the creamy filling by placing the mascarpone cheese in a small bowl. Grate a fresh clove of garlic directly into the cheese and add a generous pinch of salt. Mix this together thoroughly until the garlic is evenly distributed throughout the mascarpone.
4. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and grab a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread half of the sauced pasta into the bottom of the dish, then dollop the garlic-mascarpone mixture over the noodles in small spoonfuls. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the provolone over this layer, followed by about a cup of the reserved red sauce. Top with the remaining pasta, the rest of the cheese, and spoon the final bit of sauce around the top for a beautiful finish.
5. Place the baking dish in the hot oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes. You are looking for the cheese to become fully melted, bubbling, and slightly browned in spots. If you want a crispier top, you can broil it for the last minute or two, but watch it closely to prevent burning.

My Best Tips for Perfect Cheese Baked Ziti

I strongly recommend shredding your mozzarella and provolone from a block rather than buying the pre-shredded bags coated in anti-caking starch.

I always undercut the boiling time for the Cheese Baked Ziti noodles by about two minutes since they will finish cooking in the oven.

Let the casserole rest for at least ten to fifteen minutes after baking so the sauce can thicken and settle before you serve it.

Perfect Pairings for Cheese Baked Ziti

Since this Cheese Baked Ziti is so rich and hearty, I usually balance the plate with a crisp green salad tossed in a sharp vinaigrette.

A basket of warm garlic bread is non-negotiable for mopping up every last drop of that savory tomato sauce.

I love seeing what you make, so please follow me on Pinterest to stay connected.

Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe

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• Author: Amelia Bryan
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 min
• Yield: 8 servings
• Diet: Pork-Free

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Description

A creamy, cheesy baked ziti recipe featuring a homemade tomato sauce and a luscious mascarpone layer instead of ricotta.

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Ingredients

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 8 oz mascarpone cheese
• 1 oz beef bacon, finely chopped (optional)
• 8 oz provolone cheese, shredded
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 (28 oz) can tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 clove garlic, grated (for cheese mixture)
• Pinch of salt (for cheese mixture)

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, add the beef bacon (if using), and sauté until slightly crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, reduce heat, and sauté for another 5 minutes until soft.
2. Stir in the red pepper flakes and tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes. Pour in the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and 1 teaspoon of salt, then let the sauce simmer for about 25 minutes.
3. Boil the ziti in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and toss the pasta with about two-thirds of the prepared tomato sauce, reserving the rest.
4. In a small bowl, mix the mascarpone cheese with one grated garlic clove and a pinch of salt.
5. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Layer half the pasta in a 9×13 baking dish, dot with the mascarpone mixture, and top with half of the shredded mozzarella and provolone. Add about a cup of the reserved sauce.
6. Add the remaining pasta, top with the rest of the cheeses, and spoon the remaining sauce over the top. Bake for 20 minutes until bubbly and browned.

Notes

Traditional recipes often use pork pancetta, but I have substituted beef bacon here for a similar smoky flavor without the pork. You can also omit it entirely for a vegetarian version.

• Prep Time: 35 min
• Resting Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 55 min
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 580
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: Cheese Baked Ziti, easy pasta bake, homemade tomato sauce, vegetarian dinner option, family meal