10 Italian Baked Ziti Recipes You’ll Want to Make Again

Did you know that the popular hollow pasta, ziti, originates from Naples? Now you do! And in just a moment, I’ll share more fun facts about this beloved pasta.

Then, get ready for ten irresistible baked ziti recipes straight from Italy—including four regional, all-meat versions, a classic meatless dish, a fully vegetarian option, a delicious chicken variation, and even a guide to making the trending Million Dollar Baked Ziti—the Italian way.

Whether you prefer yours with ricotta, sausage, or a vegetarian touch, these recipes bring authentic flavors straight to your kitchen.

Fun Facts About Ziti

• Ziti are similar to bucatini, but while bucatini are more popular in Rome, ziti are the pasta of choice in Naples and its surrounding region.
  
  
• The word ziti comes from zito, which originally meant “young boy” and later came to mean “single lady.” In Sicilian and other Southern dialects, zito and zita mean boyfriend and girlfriend, while ziti refers to a couple.
  
  
• Baked ziti have been a staple of Neapolitan tradition, once served at every wedding lunch in the region.
  
  
• Ziti are the go-to pasta for timballi—rich, layered baked pasta dishes.
  
  
• In Naples, it has long been customary to use whole, long ziti and break them by hand before cooking. This tradition led to the creation of ziti tagliati (pre-cut ziti).

Neapolitan Baked Ziti with Ground Beef

This classic Neapolitan dish features rich, savory ragu sauce made with ground beef and slow-simmered to perfection, then baked with ziti pasta and caciocavallo cheese.

Ingredients: 500g ground beef, 1 onion (chopped), 1 garlic clove (minced), 1 carrot (chopped), 1 celery stalk (chopped), 1 slice bacon (chopped), 600ml passata, 500g ziti pasta, 200g caciocavallo cheese (shredded), 200g mozzarella cheese (shredded), ½ glass white wine, 1 tsp oregano, EVOO (extra virgin olive oil).

How to make it:

1. Heat EVOO in a pan and add the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, celery, and bacon. Sauté until softened.
2. Add the ground beef and brown it, then season with oregano.
3. Pour in the white wine and let it evaporate.
4. Add the passata and simmer the sauce for about 40 minutes.
5. In the meantime, cook the ziti pasta for 5 minutes, then drain.
6. Mix the pasta with the ragu sauce and stir in the caciocavallo cheese.
7. Transfer to a baking dish, top with mozzarella, and bake for 25 minutes.

Time to cook: Around 1 hour
Serves: 3-5

Apulian Baked Ziti with Mortadella & Eggs

A delicious variation from Apulia, this baked ziti combines layers of rich ragu sauce, creamy mozzarella, slices of mortadella, hard-boiled eggs, and grated parmesan.

Ingredients: 500g ziti pasta, 600ml ragu sauce (from the Neapolitan recipe above), 250g mozzarella cheese (sliced), 200g mortadella (sliced), 2 hard-boiled eggs (sliced), 100g grated parmesan cheese.

How to make it:

1. Prepare the ragu sauce as mentioned in the Neapolitan Baked Ziti recipe.
2. Cook the ziti pasta for 5 minutes, then drain.
3. In a baking dish, layer the ziti, ragu sauce, mozzarella, mortadella, eggs, and grated parmesan.
4. Repeat the layers until you reach the top, finishing with a layer of sauce and toppings.
5. Bake for 25 minutes.

Time to cook: Around 1 hour
Serves: 3-5

Spicy Sausage Baked Ziti from Calabria

This spicy variation from Calabria brings heat with crumbled sausage, mozzarella, and pecorino cheese, balanced with a simple homemade tomato sauce and black olives.

Ingredients: 500g ziti pasta, 750ml passata, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 250g spicy sausage (crumbled), 100g black olives (sliced), 200g mozzarella cheese (cubed), 100g pecorino cheese (grated), EVOO.

How to make it:

1. In a saucepan, simmer the passata with garlic for about 40 minutes.
2. Cook the ziti pasta for 7 minutes, then drain.
3. Add the tomato sauce, crumbled sausage, mozzarella, olives, and pecorino to the pasta.
4. Mix everything together, then transfer to a baking dish.
5. Bake for 25 minutes.

Time to cook: Around 1 hour
Serves: 3-5

Crispy Sicilian Baked Ziti with Ground Beef

This hearty Sicilian version includes eggplant and ground beef, topped with breadcrumbs, pecorino cheese, and a touch of nutmeg for an unforgettable crispy finish.

Ingredients: 500g ziti pasta, 600g ground beef, 1 onion (chopped), 2 garlic cloves (minced), 100g peas, 100ml red wine, 2 bay leaves, 2 eggplants (cubed), 200g caciocavallo or provolone cheese (cubed), 50g breadcrumbs, 50g pecorino cheese (grated), nutmeg, EVOO.

How to make it:

1. Prepare a ragu sauce with ground beef, onion, garlic, peas, red wine, and bay leaves. Let it simmer for 40 minutes, removing the bay leaves.
2. In a separate pan, cook or fry the eggplant cubes in EVOO.
3. Cook the ziti pasta for 7 minutes, then drain.
4. Mix the pasta with the eggplant, ragu sauce, and caciocavallo or provolone cheese.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with breadcrumbs, pecorino, nutmeg, and dollops of butter.
6. Bake for 25 minutes.

Time to cook: Around 1 hour 15 minutes
Serves: 3-5

Vegetarian Baked Ziti with Tomato & Mozzarella

This fresh and light vegetarian version features seasonal vegetables, a rich tomato sauce, and plenty of mozzarella and parmesan cheese for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients: 500g ziti pasta, 750ml passata, 1 onion (chopped), 1 garlic clove (minced), 1 zucchini (chopped), 1 eggplant (chopped), 100g mozzarella cheese (cubed), 100g grated parmesan cheese, 100g grated pecorino cheese, 10 cherry tomatoes (halved), EVOO.

How to make it:

1. Stir fry the onion, garlic, zucchini, and eggplant in EVOO until soft.
2. Add the passata, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 40 minutes.
3. Cook the ziti pasta for 7 minutes, then drain.
4. Alternate layers of pasta and sauce in a baking dish, topping each layer with mozzarella, parmesan, pecorino, and the halved cherry tomatoes.
5. Bake for 25 minutes.

Time to cook: Around 1 hour
Serves: 3-5

Quick Baked Ziti with Tomato & Ricotta

This easy baked ziti uses a simple tomato and bacon sauce, mixed with fresh ricotta cheese for a creamy, comforting dish that’s ready in no time.

Ingredients: 500g ziti pasta, 600g chopped tomatoes, 150g bacon (cubed), 200g fresh ricotta cheese, 100g grated parmesan cheese, EVOO.

How to make it:

1. Stir fry the bacon and onion in EVOO. Add the chopped tomatoes and simmer on low heat.
2. Cook the ziti pasta for 7 minutes, then drain.
3. Mix the pasta with the tomato sauce, ricotta, and parmesan cheese.
4. Transfer to a baking dish and top with more grated parmesan and dollops of tomato sauce.
5. Bake for 25 minutes.

Time to cook: Around 45 minutes
Serves: 3-5

Garlicky White Baked Ziti with Chicken

This indulgent white baked ziti features tender chicken, garlic, and a creamy béchamel sauce layered with ziti and plenty of cheese for a rich, comforting meal.

Ingredients: 500g ziti pasta, 1 chicken breast (sliced), 5 garlic cloves (minced), 100g bacon (cubed), 800ml béchamel sauce, 100g mozzarella cheese (cubed), 100g grated Montasio cheese, 100g grated parmesan cheese, EVOO, nutmeg (optional).

How to make it:

1. Stir fry the chicken, garlic, and bacon in EVOO until the chicken is fully cooked.
2. Cook the ziti pasta for 7 minutes, then drain.
3. In a bowl, mix the pasta with chicken, garlic, ¾ of the béchamel sauce, and mozzarella.
4. Layer the pasta mixture in a baking dish, topping each layer with béchamel sauce and a mix of Montasio and parmesan cheeses.
5. Repeat layers and finish with mozzarella on top.
6. Bake for 25 minutes.

Time to cook: Around 1 hour
Serves: 3-5

Healthy Baked Ziti with Spinach & Ham

A lighter take on baked ziti, this dish skips the chicken and incorporates ham and spinach for a flavorful yet healthy alternative. The creamy white sauce and baby spinach make it both comforting and nutritious.

Ingredients: 500g ziti pasta, 2 garlic cloves (minced), 200g ham (cubed), 200ml cooking cream, 100g grated parmesan cheese, 100g shredded mozzarella cheese, 100g baby spinach (washed), optional chopped tomatoes, salt, pepper, EVOO.

How to make it:

1. Stir fry the garlic and ham cubes in EVOO for 2-3 minutes until the ham is lightly browned.
2. Add the cooking cream, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 15 minutes to thicken.
3. Cook the ziti pasta for 7 minutes, then drain.
4. In a bowl, mix the pasta with the white sauce, baby spinach, and optional chopped tomatoes.
5. Transfer to a baking dish, top with shredded mozzarella, and bake for 20 minutes.

Time to cook: Around 45 minutes
Serves: 3-5

Mushroom Baked Ziti with or Without Sausage

This creamy and earthy baked ziti is made with a white ragu sauce, combining the richness of portobello mushrooms and a choice of Italian sausage for a hearty touch. Vegetarians can skip the sausage for a lighter option.

Ingredients: 500g ziti pasta, 1 onion (chopped), 4 Italian sausages (optional, crumbled), 10 portobello mushrooms (sliced), optional 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 100ml white wine, 800ml béchamel sauce, 100g grated parmesan cheese, 150g scamorza cheese (pieces; substitute mozzarella if needed), salt, pepper, EVOO.

How to make it:

1. In a large pan, sauté the chopped onion and crumbled sausages (if using) in EVOO until browned.
2. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes. If you want to use it, you can mix in the two tablespoons of tomato paste at this stage.
3. Deglaze with white wine, season with salt and pepper, and stir until the liquid reduces.
4. Cook the ziti pasta for 7 minutes, then drain.
5. In a bowl, combine the pasta, mushroom sauce, and ¾ of the béchamel sauce.
6. Mix well, then transfer to a baking dish.
7. Top with the remaining béchamel sauce, grated parmesan, and pieces of scamorza or mozzarella.
8. Bake for 25 minutes.

Time to cook: Around 1 hour
Serves: 3-5

Quick Million Dollar Baked Ziti The Italian Way

A deliciously indulgent ziti recipe with sausage, ricotta, and a creamy tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella and baked to perfection for a cheesy, flavorful treat.

Ingredients: 500g ziti pasta, 3 garlic cloves (minced), 4 Italian sausages (broken into pieces), 2 cans chopped tomatoes, 1 can peas (drained), 400g ricotta cheese, 1 egg, fresh parsley (chopped), 100g grated parmesan cheese, 200g mozzarella cheese (shredded).

How to make it:

1. Stir fry the garlic and sausage in EVOO until browned.
2. Add the chopped tomatoes and peas, season, and simmer for 40 minutes.
3. Cook the ziti pasta for 7 minutes, then drain.
4. Mix the pasta with the sausage sauce, hard-boiled eggs, ricotta, parsley, and parmesan.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with mozzarella cheese.
6. Bake for 25 minutes.

Time to cook: Around 1 hour
Serves: 3-5

More Delicious Italian Recipes

I hope these baked ziti recipes inspire you to bring a taste of Italy to your kitchen! If you’re craving even more Italian flavors, don’t miss out on these other tasty recipes:

• 25 Irresistible Italian Sandwich Ideas
• 25 Authentic Italian Pasta Salad Recipes
• 23 Refreshing Italian Summer Desserts

If you found your new favorite baked ziti recipe, don’t forget to leave a heart and share this list with a friend before you go!

Buon appetito,
Alessia