The BEST Baked Ziti Ever | Cheesy Italian-American Comfort Food #bakedziti #pastabake

This is The Best Baked Ziti — rich, cheesy, saucy, and packed with flavor. Made with a combination of hot and sweet Italian sausage, a long-simmered marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, mozzarella cubes, and Pecorino Romano, this baked ziti is pure Italian-American comfort food.

After years of cooking and filming recipes, this version checks every box: tender pasta, bold sausage flavor, perfectly balanced herbs, and a bubbling, cheesy finish straight from the oven. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for the week, this baked ziti delivers every time.

Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, holidays, or whenever you’re craving a classic baked pasta dish.

👇 Full recipe below
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This recipe is inspired by Chef John @f@foodwishes
🍝 INGREDIENTS

¾ lb hot Italian sausage
¾ lb sweet Italian sausage
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
½ tsp dried oregano
¼ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp dried rosemary
2 (24 oz) jars marinara sauce
2 cups water
1 (16 oz) package ziti pasta
Olive oil, for greasing dish
1½ cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
8 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed
1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1 tsp chopped flat-leaf parsley

🔪 DIRECTIONS

Cut down the length of each sausage and remove casings.

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add sausage and onion. Cook, breaking up sausage, until browned and onion is translucent (5–7 minutes).

Add oregano, thyme, and rosemary; cook 1 minute.

Stir in marinara sauce. Rinse each jar with 1 cup water and add to pan. Bring to a simmer.

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Skim excess fat if needed.

While sauce simmers, boil salted water and cook ziti 1–2 minutes shy of package directions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

Add meat sauce to pasta, stir well, and rest 5 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 or 9×15 baking dish with olive oil.

Layer half the pasta mixture in the dish. Top with half the ricotta, mozzarella, and Pecorino.

Add remaining pasta, shake pan gently, then repeat cheese layers.

Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, until bubbly and melted.

Rest 10–15 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve.

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