Pizza Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food mash-up that combines all the cheesy, saucy goodness of pizza with hearty baked pasta. This easy weeknight dinner is packed with tender ziti noodles, pizza sauce, gooey mozzarella, pepperoni, and all your favorite pizza toppings — baked together until bubbly and golden.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love Pizza Baked Ziti because it’s simple, satisfying, and family-friendly. It has all the flavors you love about pizza in a cozy, cheesy casserole that’s easy to prep ahead. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd, makes great leftovers, and can be customized with any toppings you like!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ziti or penne pasta
- Pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- Ricotta cheese (optional, for creaminess)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Pepperoni slices
- Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled (optional)
- Green bell pepper, diced (optional)
- Black olives, sliced (optional)
- Olive oil
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.
- Stir pizza sauce into the cooked pasta. Add ricotta cheese if using, half of the shredded mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan. Stir to combine.
- Transfer half of the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Layer with pepperoni slices, cooked sausage, bell peppers, olives, or your favorite toppings.
- Top with the remaining pasta, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Arrange extra pepperoni on top if desired.
- Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves about 6–8 people and takes about 15 minutes to prep and 30–35 minutes to bake.
Variations
- Make it vegetarian by skipping the meat and loading up on veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or onions.
- Use turkey pepperoni for a lighter version.
- Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
- Swap ziti for penne, rigatoni, or any short pasta you have on hand.
- Use mini mozzarella balls for extra melty pockets of cheese.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover Pizza Baked Ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or bake covered in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. This dish also freezes well — assemble and freeze before baking for an easy make-ahead meal.
FAQs
What’s the best pasta for Pizza Baked Ziti?
Ziti, penne, or rigatoni work perfectly because they hold the sauce and cheese well.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Do I have to use ricotta?
No — it adds creaminess, but you can leave it out if you prefer.
Can I use store-bought pizza sauce?
Absolutely! Any pizza or marinara sauce works well.
Is this freezer-friendly?
Yes! Freeze before or after baking. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake until heated through.
How do I keep the cheese from burning?
Cover with foil for the first half of baking, then remove it to brown the top.
Can I make it spicy?
Add spicy Italian sausage, red pepper flakes, or jalapeños.
What toppings work best?
Pepperoni, sausage, bell peppers, olives, mushrooms, or even pineapple if you love Hawaiian pizza.
How do I keep the pasta from getting mushy?
Cook it just until al dente and don’t overbake.
What should I serve with Pizza Baked Ziti?
It’s great with garlic bread and a simple green salad.
Conclusion
Pizza Baked Ziti is a cheesy, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s the best of both worlds — all the flavor of pizza baked into a comforting pasta casserole. Customize it with your favorite toppings, bake it until golden and bubbly, and enjoy an easy, delicious meal everyone will love!
PrintPizza Baked Ziti
A cheesy, crowd-pleasing pizza baked ziti with tender pasta tossed in marinara sauce, Italian sausage or pepperoni, gooey mozzarella, and classic pizza flavors baked together until bubbly and golden.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti or penne pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz Italian sausage, casings removed (or 1 cup sliced pepperoni)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente; drain.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, cooked sausage (or pepperoni), marinara sauce, oregano, basil, garlic powder, and half of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Stir until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Add black olives and bell peppers, if using.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Broil for 2-3 minutes for a golden top, if desired.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Swap sausage for pepperoni or make it vegetarian by omitting the meat and adding extra veggies.
- Use your favorite pizza toppings — mushrooms, onions, or banana peppers work well.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg