Pioneer Woman Italian Baked Ziti

This cheesy, comforting Pioneer Woman Italian Baked Ziti is made with rich Italian sausage, tender pasta, and ready in 60 minutes. The heavy baking dish emerges from the oven with a bubbling, golden-brown crust that stretches beautifully when you scoop it out. I make this hearty meal whenever I need to feed a crowd on Sunday.

Why This Classic Works

I tried rushing baked ziti in the past by skipping the egg in the ricotta mixture. The cheese layers always melted into a runny mess instead of setting up into nice distinct sections.

Ree’s method of mixing ricotta with an egg gives the cheese layer real structure. It holds up the pasta and keeps the rich meat sauce from turning everything into soup.

Pioneer Woman Italian Baked Ziti Ingredients

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 1 lb bulk mild Italian sausage
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes, crushed by hand
• 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 24 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
• 16 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

How To Make Pioneer Woman Italian Baked Ziti

1. Boil the pasta: Cook the ziti in a large pot of salted water until slightly underdone, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Brown the meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic until browned. Drain the excess fat.
3. Simmer the sauce: Add the whole tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and Italian seasoning to the meat. Simmer gently for 15 minutes to thicken the sauce.
4. Mix the cheese: In a separate bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper.
5. Layer the dish: Coat the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with a little sauce. Add half the ziti, half the cheese mixture, and half the sauce. Repeat layers.
6. Bake to golden: Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Recipe Tips

• Under-cook the pasta: Ziti continues to cook in the oven, so boiling it for two minutes less than the package instructions prevents mushy noodles.
• Use freshly grated cheese: Pre-shredded mozzarella contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly.
• Rest before serving: Let the baking dish sit for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven to help the layers set.

What To Serve With Baked Ziti

A heavy pasta dish needs a sharp, acidic side to cut through the richness. I like to serve this with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette. Warm garlic bread is also essential for wiping up any leftover meat sauce.

How To Store

Keep leftover ziti in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze the unbaked assembled casserole for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

FAQs

Can I use all ground beef instead of sausage?

Yes, you can substitute the sausage with extra ground beef. Just be sure to add a pinch of fennel seeds or extra Italian seasoning for flavor.

Do I have to use ricotta cheese?

If you strongly dislike ricotta, cottage cheese is a common substitute. Blend the cottage cheese in a food processor first for a smoother texture.

Why is my baked ziti dry?

This usually happens if the pasta is overcooked before baking or if there is not enough sauce. Make sure to cover the noodles completely with the tomato mixture.

Nutrition

• Calories: 580 kcal
• Total Fat: 32g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Cholesterol: 120mg
• Sodium: 950mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 42g
• Protein: 34g

Try More Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Italian Chicken Soup Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Italian Pasta Puttanesca
• Pioneer Woman Italian Pasta Frittata

Pioneer Woman Italian Baked Ziti

Recipe by PaulaCourse: DinnerCuisine: Italian

Servings

10

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

Comforting, cheesy Pioneer Woman Italian Baked Ziti features rich Italian sausage, tender pasta, and a gooey mozzarella top. Ready in 60 minutes, this easy weekend dinner is exactly what your family needs for a cozy Sunday gathering.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ziti pasta

• 1 lb bulk mild Italian sausage

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 large yellow onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes, crushed by hand

• 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes

• 2 tbsp Italian seasoning

• 24 oz whole milk ricotta cheese

• 16 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions

• 1. Boil the pasta: Cook the ziti in a large pot of salted water until slightly underdone, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• 2. Brown the meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic until browned. Drain the excess fat.
• 3. Simmer the sauce: Add the whole tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and Italian seasoning to the meat. Simmer gently for 15 minutes to thicken the sauce.
• 4. Mix the cheese: In a separate bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper.
• 5. Layer the dish: Coat the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with a little sauce. Add half the ziti, half the cheese mixture, and half the sauce. Repeat layers.
• 6. Bake to golden: Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.