Ronzoni Baked Ziti Recipe

Honestly this ronzoni baked ziti recipe changed my weeknight dinner game completely. Been making it for like 5 yrs now and still not tired of it! There’s something kinda magical about how the sauce gets all mixed up in those little pasta tubes and the cheese gets all melty and stretchy when u pull out a serving. First time I tried the ronzoni baked ziti recipe from the box I was skeptical but wow was I wrong! My kids literally cheer when they see me grabbing the ziti from the pantry now. Keep reading if u want the easiest comfort food that tastes like u spent all day in the kitchen (but totally didn’t).

Why This Ronzoni Baked Ziti Recipe Is Gonna Be Your New Fave

Ever had one of those days when u forgot to defrost anything and suddenly it’s 5:30 and everyone’s hungry? This baked ziti has saved me so many times I can’t even count.

Few months back my mother-in-law showed up unannounced (like she does) right at dinner time. Panic mode! But I had ronzoni ziti in the cabinet and some cheese in the fridge. Threw this together super quick and she actually asked for the recipe! Victory! That NEVER happens.

What’s awesome is u can make it super basic or fancy it up. No ricotta? No problem. Wanna add veggies? Go for it. Need to hide some spinach from the kids? Works perfectly. Plus the leftovers are even better for lunch next day.

What You’ll Need for This Baked Ziti

The Basics:

• 1 box (16 oz) Ronzoni Ziti – gotta use the right pasta shape!
• 3 cups tomato sauce – jarred is fine, I like chunky style
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella – get the whole milk kind if u can
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan – the real stuff not the powdery kind
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning – or just oregano if that’s all u got
• Salt n pepper – just enough to taste good

For the Super Creamy Version:

• 15 oz container ricotta cheese – whole milk makes it extra rich
• 1 egg – helps bind everything together
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley – dried works if u don’t have fresh
• 1 clove garlic minced – or 1/2 tsp garlic powder

If You Want Meat:

• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage – or half and half!
• 1 onion diced – yellow or white both work
• 2 cloves garlic – more garlic is always better right?

How to Make Ronzoni Baked Ziti Step by Step

Step 1: Get the Oven and Pasta Ready

1. Heat oven to 350°F – don’t go hotter or the cheese gets weird
2. Fill big pot with water, add good pinch of salt
3. Boil the ronzoni ziti for like 8 mins – u want it firmer than normal
4. Drain but save like 1/4 cup of the pasta water

Step 2: Make It Meaty (Skip for Vegetarian)

1. While pasta cooks, brown meat in big pan with onions
2. Cook till meat’s not pink anymore and onions r soft
3. Add garlic last minute so it doesn’t burn
4. Drain off extra fat – nobody wants greasy pasta

Step 3: Mix the Cheesy Stuff

1. In bowl mix ricotta, half the mozzarella, egg and parsley
2. Add salt pepper and maybe tiny bit of nutmeg if ur feeling fancy
3. Mix it all up till smooth and creamy looking

Step 4: Layer It All Together

1. Get a 9×13 baking dish – glass or ceramic works best
2. Spread thin layer of sauce on bottom
3. Add half the ziti and mix with some sauce
4. Spread ricotta mixture on top
5. Add rest of ziti and pour remaining sauce over
6. Top with rest of mozzarella and all the parm

Step 5: Bake Till Bubbly

1. Cover with foil but not too tight
2. Bake 20 mins covered
3. Take foil off and bake another 10-15 mins till cheese gets golden spots
4. Let it sit 10 mins before serving – seriously don’t skip this part!

Switch It Up: Cool Versions of Ronzoni Baked Ziti

Veggie Loaded

Toss in roasted zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms and spinach with the pasta. Even veggie-haters usually don’t mind cuz the cheese hides everything!

Spicy Lovers Version

Add 1 tsp red pepper flakes to sauce and use half pepper jack cheese instead of all mozz. Throw in some hot italian sausage instead of ground beef too.

Sunday Gravy Style

Use leftover meat sauce with italian sausage, meatballs, and maybe even some braised short ribs chopped up for mega flavor.

Budget Friendly

Skip ricotta, use cottage cheese instead! Sounds weird but works great and saves $$. Add extra herbs to boost flavor.

Fancy Pants Version

Mix in 1/4 cup cream to the sauce, add fresh basil on top after baking, and serve with garlic bread and caesar salad for dinner party vibes.

Ronzoni Baked Ziti Recipe

This cheesy, comforting Ronzoni baked ziti recipe is your ultimate weeknight dinner hero. Simple to make, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to be a family favorite—even the kids cheer when it hits the table! Whether you go basic or fancy, it’s always a win.

No ratings yet

Print Pin

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian-American

Keyword: baked ziti, cheesy ziti, easy pasta bake, ronzoni ziti, weeknight dinner

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 570kcal

Author: info.thekitcheen

Equipment

• Large pot for boiling pasta
• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Mixing bowls
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Foil
• Oven

Ingredients

• The Basics:
• 1 box 16 oz Ronzoni Ziti
• 3 cups tomato sauce jarred, chunky style preferred
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese whole milk recommended
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning or oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• For the Super Creamy Version:
• 15 oz ricotta cheese whole milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley fresh or dried
• 1 clove garlic minced (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
• Optional – If You Want Meat:
• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic

Instructions

• Step 1: Prep Oven and Pasta
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bring large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Boil ziti for 8 minutes (al dente). Drain and reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water.
• Step 2: Cook Meat (Skip for Vegetarian)
• Brown meat in skillet with onion until no longer pink.
• Add garlic at the end, cook 1 minute.
• Drain excess fat.
• Step 3: Mix Ricotta Layer
• In bowl, mix ricotta, 1.5 cups mozzarella, egg, parsley, salt & pepper.
• Step 4: Assemble
• In baking dish, spread thin layer of sauce.
• Mix half of ziti with some sauce, layer on bottom.
• Spread ricotta mixture over ziti.
• Add rest of ziti and remaining sauce.
• Top with remaining mozzarella and all the parmesan.
• Step 5: Bake
• Cover loosely with foil.
• Bake 20 minutes.
• Remove foil, bake 10–15 minutes more until cheese is golden.
• Rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra moisture, add a little reserved pasta water before baking.

Make-ahead tip: assemble early and refrigerate, add 15 mins baking time.

To reheat, add extra sauce or splash of water before placing in oven.

For vegetarians, skip meat and add sautéed veggies.

Cottage cheese can replace ricotta for a budget-friendly version.

Penne or rigatoni can be used in place of ziti if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 570kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 28g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 830mg | Potassium: 600mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 850IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 350mg | Iron: 3mg

Answers to Your Ronzoni Baked Ziti Questions

How do you keep baked ziti from drying out?

Undercook the pasta first! Like 2-3 mins less than package says. Also use plenty of sauce and cover with foil for first part of baking. If ur making ahead, add extra 1/4 cup sauce before reheating. That pasta water u saved can help too – pour lil bit over top before baking.

What are the ingredients in Ronzoni ziti?

Basic stuff – semolina flour from durum wheat and water. Some vitamins added too. Nothing weird or complicated. It’s just good pasta that holds up to baking without getting mushy.

What is the best jar sauce for baked ziti?

Honestly whatever’s on sale works! But if ur asking my fave, I like Mezzetta or Classico for everyday and Rao’s when I’m splurging. Marinara or tomato basil work great. Some ppl even use vodka sauce which is pretty amazing too.

What pasta is best for baked ziti?

Obv ziti is the classic choice (it’s in the name lol) but penne or rigatoni work too if that’s what u have. Need something with holes so sauce gets inside! Ronzoni ziti has perfect thickness that doesn’t fall apart when baked.

Should I cover ziti when baking?

Yep for first 20 mins to keep moisture in, then uncover so cheese can get those yummy brown spots. If top gets too brown before it’s heated thru just put foil back on.

How long do you bake baked ziti?

About 30-35 mins total at 350°F. First 20 covered, then 10-15 uncovered. If it came straight from fridge add another 10-15 mins. It’s done when middle is hot and cheese is bubbly.

What temperature should oven be for baked ziti?

350°F is the sweet spot. Too hot and outside burns before inside heats up. Too cool and it takes forever and gets dry.

The Story Behind My Ronzoni Baked Ziti Recipe

This dish reminds me of Sunday dinners growing up. My aunt would make this huge pan of baked ziti and everyone would fight over the corner pieces with extra crispy cheese.

Now when I make this ronzoni baked ziti recipe for my own family, it brings that same happy feeling. Something about pasta and cheese just makes everyone smile. Even my 13yo who’s “too cool” for family dinner always comes running when this is in the oven.

The best part? It’s never the same twice. Sometimes I add leftover rotisserie chicken, sometimes extra veggies from the crisper that need using up. It’s always delicious.

If ur looking for more comfort food ideas, check out our LEMONY SHRIMP AND BEAN STEW or FAJITAS DE POLLO recipes. But honestly, this ronzoni baked ziti recipe might just become ur go-to when u need something everyone will eat without complaining.

Give it a try and make it ur own! Guaranteed empty plates and happy faces around the table.