• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact

Coco and Camellia logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Vegetarian
  • Everyday Meals
  • Breakfast
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Baked Ziti

    October 15, 2021

    Baked Ziti

    Jump to Recipe
    baking dish with baked ziti garnished with fresh oregano leaves
    baking dish with baked ziti garnished with fresh oregano leaves

    This baked ziti recipe is easy to make, super delicious, and comforting! The whole family will love it, kids included! It's a creamy and cheesy dish perfect for eating on a cold rainy day to warm up your soul.

    a baking dish with baked ziti garnished with fresh oregano leaves

    Why you will love this recipe

    • This baked ziti is easy to make, comforting, and super cheesy.
    • It's a versatile dish. If you would like to turn this recipe into a vegetarian recipe, replace the ground turkey with some vegan mince.
    • If you have kids in your family, this dish will be one of their favorites!
    a baking dish with baked ziti garnished with fresh oregano leaves and a serving spoon

    Ingredients for this recipe

    Ziti pasta: The star ingredient! If you don't have ziti pasta, you can use penne instead.

    Ground turkey: Use lean ground turkey. For a vegetarian version, replace it with vegan mince.

    Onion: To saute the ground turkey.

    Garlic: Adds extra flavor to the dish.

    Olive oil: To saute the ground turkey.

    Tomato puree: Use homemade or store-bought.

    Parmesan cheese: We've used grated parmesan cheese.

    Mozzarella cheese: Use shredded mozzarella cheese.

    Ricotta cheese: Use your favorite brand.

    Seasoning: To season this dish, you will need salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and dried thyme.

    Fresh oregano: Garnish this dish with fresh oregano or fresh basil. This ingredient is optional.

    close up of a baking dish with baked ziti garnished with fresh oregano leaves

    How to make this recipe

    First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F ( 180 C ) and cook the pasta according to package instructions.

    While the pasta is cooking, heat a large pan over medium heat, drizzle the olive oil and saute the onion and garlic for 2 minutes or until golden.

    Then, add the ground turkey seasoned with a pinch o salt, and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes or until cooked all the way through. Stir often to prevent burning.

    Next, add the tomato puree, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, mix everything, and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning.

    When the pasta is al dente, drain and add the pasta to the tomato and turkey mix. Stir gently until well combined. Mix the ricotta with the parmesan cheese and set aside.

    To assemble the baked ziti into a baking tray, pour a layer of half of the pasta mix first, then half of the ricotta mix on top of the ziti. Repeat this process one more time. 

    Add the mozzarella cheese on top and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden. Garnish with fresh basil or fresh oregano and serve.

    a baking dish with ziti topped with mozzarella cheese before going to the oven

    FAQ

    Do you bake ziti covered or uncovered?

    We've baked this dish uncovered for the cheese to melt and golden.

    Is ziti the same as penne?

    No, they are very similar but still different types of pasta. 

    Ziti has a smooth texture, and its ends are cut straight. While penne is not smooth in texture, and the ends are cut at a diagonal.

    Should I undercook pasta for baked ziti?

    Yes, cook the ziti al dente to prevent the pasta from getting mushy when baked.

    a baking dish with baked ziti garnished with fresh oregano leaves and a serving spoon

    Tips for making this recipe

    • Don't overcook the pasta: Remember that the pasta will continue to cook in the oven, so don't overcook the pasta. It should be al dente.
    • Store leftovers: This dish will last in the fridge on an airtight container for up to 4 days.
    • Make ahead: If you would like to prep this baked ziti ahead, you can do it! Keep the baking tray covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 5 hours until it's time to bake.

    More comforting recipes 

    • Ricotta Stuffed Shells
    • Mushroom Risotto
    • Vegetarian Moussaka
    close up of a baked ziti inside of a baking dish, garnished with oregano leaves and a serving spoon

    If you tried this recipe, don't forget to tag me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook. Also, if you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating star below! Thank you for your support!

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    a baking dish with baked ziti garnished with fresh oregano leaves

    Baked Ziti

    • Author: Rita
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 45 minutes
    • Total Time: 55 minutes
    • Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
    • Category: Main
    • Method: Bake
    • Cuisine: Italian
    Pin Recipe
    Print Recipe

    Description

    This baked ziti recipe is easy to make, super cheesy, and comforting. It's perfect for eating on a cold winter day to warm you up!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 14 oz ziti, cooked al dente (400 g)
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 3 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • lean ground turkey (400 g)
    • 1 ½ cups tomato puree
    • 1 tsp dried oregano
    • ½ tsp dried thyme
    • 2 tsp salt
    • black pepper to taste
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese (50 g)
    • 1 cup ricotta cheese (250 g)
    • 1 cup mozzarella cheese (100 g)
    • fresh oregano or basil to garnish (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F ( 180 C ) and cook the pasta according to package instructions.
    2. While the pasta is cooking, heat a large pan over medium heat, drizzle the olive oil and saute the onion and garlic for 2 minutes or until golden.
    3. Then, add the ground turkey seasoned with a pinch o salt, and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes or until cooked all the way through. Stir often to prevent burning.
    4. Next, add the tomato puree, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, mix everything, and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning.
    5. When the pasta is al dente, drain and add the pasta to the tomato and turkey mix. Stir gently until well combined.
    6. Mix the ricotta with the parmesan cheese and set aside.
    7. Into a baking tray, pour a layer of half of the pasta mix first, then half of the ricotta mix on top of the ziti. Repeat this process one more time.
    8. Add the mozzarella cheese on top and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden. Garnish with fresh basil or fresh oregano and serve.

    Notes

    Don't overcook the pasta: Remember that the pasta will continue to cook in the oven, so don't overcook the pasta. It should be al dente.

    Store leftovers: This dish will last in the fridge on an airtight container for up to 4 days.

    Make ahead: If you would like to prep this baked ziti ahead, you can do it! Keep the baking tray covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 5 hours until it's time to bake.

    Vegetarian version: For a vegetarian dish, replace the ground turkey with vegan mince.

    Keywords: baked ziti, baked ziti recipe

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cocoandcamellia on Instagram and hashtag it #cocoandcamellia — I can't wait to see what you've made!

    « Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
    Mushroom Stroganoff »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Rita cutting a lemon on a chopping board

    Hi, I'm Rita! Welcome to Coco & Camellia! Here you'll find recipes for an 80-20 way of eating. That means 80% healthy meals and 20% for delicious treats! Because life is all about balance and we should always feel happy while eating.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
    • Lentil Bolognese
    • Dutch Baby Pancake
    • Vegetable Lo Mein

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Info

    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Follow

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Youtube

    Contact

    • About Me
    • Contact

    Copyright © 2021 Coco & Camellia