Baked Ziti with Cheese Quick Dinner Recipe

It’s 5:30 PM. Your stomach is growling. The family is asking “what’s for dinner?” for the tenth time.

You need a hero. You need something fast, filling, and fantastic. You need this Baked Ziti with Cheese Quick Dinner. If you love cheesy pasta bakes, you must try our decadent Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno.

This is your weeknight win. It’s a one-dish wonder packed with gooey cheese and rich flavor. I make it all the time. Let’s make it together.

Recipe Overview

• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Category: Quick Dinner
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 6

Ultimate Guide to Baked Ziti with Cheese Quick Dinner

Forget complicated recipes. This guide is all you need.

We skip the fussy steps. No pre-cooking the pasta. No making three separate sauces. You get maximum cheesy comfort with minimal clean-up.

This is the pasta bake that saves the day. Every single time.

The Simple Ingredients

I love this recipe because my pantry usually has everything. Check your shelves first. You might be ready to go right now.

• 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
• 1 (24-ounce) jar of your favorite marinara sauce
• 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional, but pretty!)

Let’s Get Cooking! (The Step-by-Step)

Ready? Set your timer. Let’s race to a delicious finish. This process is incredibly simple.

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish. No need to grease it.
2. In a large bowl, mix the ricotta, egg, 1 cup of the mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. This is your creamy cheese layer.
3. Spread about 3/4 cup of the marinara sauce on the bottom of your baking dish. Just a thin layer to prevent sticking.
4. Add the dry, uncooked ziti pasta to the dish. Spread it out evenly. This is the big time-saver!
5. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the dry pasta. Use a spoon to toss and coat every piece. Make sure the sauce gets down into the pasta.
6. Dollop the ricotta cheese mixture over the sauced pasta. Use your spoon to spread it as best you can. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
7. Pour 1 1/2 cups of hot water carefully around the edges of the dish. This is the magic that cooks the pasta.
8. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes. The foil trap creates a steamy oven that cooks the pasta perfectly.
9. Carefully remove the foil. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.
10. Bake, uncovered, for another 5-7 minutes. You want the cheese melted and bubbly with a few golden spots.
11. Let it sit for 5 minutes after baking. This helps it set. Garnish with fresh herbs if you have them. Then, dig in!

What to Serve With This Dish

This ziti is a full meal by itself. But if you want to round it out, keep it quick.

A simple bagged salad with Italian dressing is perfect. Garlic bread is always a hit. Just toast some bread with butter and garlic powder.

For a veggie side, try roasted broccoli. Toss it in oil, salt, and pepper. Roast it on a sheet pan while the ziti bakes. Dinner is done.

Make This Recipe Your Own (Quick Swaps)

This recipe is your playground. Use what you have. Try what you love.

Add a layer of baby spinach under the pasta. It wilts down perfectly. Throw in some sliced mushrooms or bell peppers with the sauce.

Not vegetarian? Brown some Italian sausage or ground beef. Mix it into the marinara sauce before adding it. Easy protein boost. For another hearty, meaty option that’s ready fast, check out our Easy Rotel Taco Soup.

Swap the ricotta for cottage cheese. It’s a great creamy substitute. Use any short pasta shape you have on hand.

How to Store Leftovers (If You Have Any!)

Let the baked ziti cool completely. Cover the dish tightly or transfer portions to airtight containers.

It keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat single servings in the microwave. For larger portions, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until hot.

You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

• Calories: ~480
• Carbohydrates: 58g
• Protein: 24g
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Cholesterol: 75mg
• Sodium: 780mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 8g

(*Approximate values per serving. Calculated using standard ingredients.)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I really not have to boil the pasta first?

No boiling needed! The pasta cooks in the sauce and water in the oven. It’s the best trick for a quick dinner.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely. Assemble the dish, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5-10 minutes to the bake time since it’s cold.

My pasta came out a bit hard. What happened?

Make sure the dish is covered tightly with foil for the first bake. Also, check that you added the hot water. Different pasta brands can vary, so a few extra minutes covered might help.

See? I told you we could do it. In about half an hour, you have a bubbling, cheesy, incredible Italian dinner on the table. If you’re craving all the flavors of lasagna in a fraction of the time, our 30-Minute Quick Lasagna Soup is another perfect weeknight solution.

No stress. All flavor. You just won the weeknight. Now go enjoy your victory lap with a big, delicious forkful.

Go try this and win back your weeknight! Let me know how it goes by leaving a comment and rating below!