Cheesy Baked Ziti

Cheesy Baked Ziti has both sausage and pepperoni for a comforting spice flavor with cooked ziti mixed together in marina sauce layered with mozzarella cheese and baked to perfection! A classic Italian dish!

We love pasta dishes that are comforting and easy to make! Try these Chicken Parmesan Casserole, Pasta Puttanesca with Chicken or Chicken Caprese Pasta Casserole.

Cheesy Baked Ziti

I decided to switch things up for dinner last night and have an Italian night. This Baked Ziti Recipe has been in the family for years. It is so yummy and cheesy. I like how it has pepperoni and sausage in it, which gives it such a good flavor.

Ingredients for cheesy baked ziti

Sausage
Pepperoni
Onion
Garlic
Green Pepper
Prego Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese
Ziti Noodles

Preparing Cheesy Baked Ziti

How do you make cheesy baked ziti?

Brown the sausage and pepperoni together and drain the grease. Cook onion and green pepper and garlic, put with meat.
Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and prego sauce. Cook 2 cups of noodles. Mix everything together, put Pam in 9×13 pan.
Put half of noodle mixture and sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese.
Put remaining and top with the rest of the mozzarella.
Bake for 25 minutes at 375.

What goes with cheesy baked ziti?

We love a complete meal with this. Try one of these salads Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad or Chilled Cucumber Tomato Salad with breadsticks 20 Minute Italian Bread Twist and dessert No Churn Brownie Batter Ice Cream.

What noodles are best for cheesy baked ziti?

If you don’t have ziti on hand you can use any medium shape in this recipe. You will want to make sure when cooking the pasta that it is a little undercooked for baking purposes.

Farfalle
Fusilli
Penne
Rigatoni
Rotini

What meat is best for cheesy baked ziti?

I prefer both sausage and pepperoni for a little spice in our dish. Other variation are just as good with this cheesy baked ziti!

Chicken
Ground beef
Italian Sausage
Salami

Can you make this cheesy baked ziti meatless?

Yes! If you are looking for a vegetarian cheesy baked ziti just leave out the meat in for this recipe! This is a great dish that doesn’t need the meat. Enjoy it just the way you like it!

What cheese is best for cheesy baked ziti?

Parmasan
Provolone
Ricotta or blend cottage cheese with an egg

How do you store cheesy baked ziti?

It is best to store cheesy baked ziti in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. This can be refrigerated for 3 to 5 days.

Can this be made ahead?

Yes! This is a great dinner meal to either prepare ahead of time or make ahead.

Prepare ahead without baking: assemble the cheesy baked ziti without baking it and cover with foil or an airtight lid and keep in the refrigerator up to 2 days. When ready to bake, remove foil and follow baking instructions.

Prepare ahead with baking: follow the recipe on the recipe card. When done baking let cool completely. Refrigerate for 3 to 5 days in an airtight container or covered with foil.

Reheat the cheesy baked ziti by loosely covering the casserole dish with foil and cook in oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for about 15 minutes or until ziti is warmed throughout.

Can you freeze cheesy baked ziti?

Yes! We love to make a few at a time and freeze them for school nights.

Freezing cheesy baked ziti: follow the recipe on the recipe card. When done baking let cool completely. Freeze for 1 month in an airtight container or resealable container.

Reheat: Remove from the freezer and place in the refrigerator to thaw over night or place in the preheated oven right away.

Bake the cheesy baked ziti by loosely covering the casserole dish with foil and cook in oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for about 1 hour or until ziti is warmed throughout.

Cheesy Baked Ziti in pan

Looking for more Italian dishes?! Here are some faves!