Discover the ultimate weeknight hero: a cheesy, comforting baked ziti recipe made with just five essential ingredients. This streamlined approach doesn’t compromise on flavor, delivering a rich and satisfying Italian-American classic that’s perfect for busy evenings. Julia Pacheco’s quick take on baked ziti promises minimal fuss and maximum deliciousness, ensuring a delightful meal for your family.

Why This 5-Ingredient Baked Ziti Will Become Your Favorite

In the quest for effortless yet incredibly satisfying meals, this 5-ingredient baked ziti stands out as a true culinary gem. Imagine a dish that brings together the hearty flavors of Italian sausage, al dente pasta, rich marinara, and gooey mozzarella, all with minimal prep and cleanup. That’s precisely what this recipe offers.

Life can get hectic, and the thought of whipping up a complex dinner often leads to takeout or compromise. But with this simplified baked ziti, you can have a homemade, comforting, and deeply flavorful meal on the table in under an hour. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights, last-minute gatherings, or when you simply crave the warm embrace of a classic Italian-American dish without the extensive ingredient list or elaborate steps.

This recipe focuses on maximizing flavor with fewer components, proving that less can indeed be more. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, creating a harmonious blend that’s both familiar and utterly delicious. Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned home chef looking for a convenient option, this 5-ingredient baked ziti is designed to impress with its simplicity and taste.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this baked ziti lies in its concise ingredient list. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• 1 lb ground Italian sausage: This is the flavor backbone of the dish. Opt for mild or spicy, depending on your preference. Ground beef or turkey can also be substituted if Italian sausage isn’t available or preferred.
• 12 oz ziti pasta: The classic choice for baked ziti, its tube shape is perfect for catching all that delicious sauce and cheese. Penne or rigatoni work equally well if ziti is hard to find.
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. This elevates the overall Italian profile of the dish.
• ½ tsp garlic powder: Adds a foundational aromatic flavor that complements the sausage and marinara.
• ½ tsp onion powder: Enhances the savory depth, providing a subtle sweetness that balances the other strong flavors.
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese: The star of the show, providing that irresistible melted, gooey, and golden-brown topping. Freshly shredded mozzarella melts best.
• 24 oz marinara sauce: A good quality jarred marinara sauce is your shortcut to rich, tomatoey goodness. Choose your favorite brand, perhaps one with added basil or roasted garlic for extra flavor.

These five core ingredients, along with a few pantry staples like nonstick spray, come together to create a truly memorable meal.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Baked Ziti

Follow these simple steps to create your delicious 5-ingredient baked ziti:

1. Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This ensures your oven is at the optimal temperature when it’s time to bake, allowing for even cooking and a perfectly melted cheese topping.
2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the 12 ounces of ziti pasta and cook according to the package directions until it’s al dente – firm to the bite, but not mushy. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside. Avoid overcooking, as the pasta will continue to cook slightly in the oven.
3. Brown the Sausage: While the pasta cooks, place the 1 pound of ground Italian sausage in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat on the stove. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is completely browned and no pink remains. Once cooked, carefully drain any excess grease from the pan. This step is crucial for flavor and texture.
4. Assemble and Bake: Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking. In the baking dish, combine the cooked and drained ziti pasta, the browned Italian sausage, the 24 ounces of marinara sauce, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir everything together gently until all ingredients are well combined and the pasta is evenly coated with sauce and seasonings.
5. Top with Cheese and Bake: Once mixed, spread the pasta mixture evenly in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese generously over the top. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
6. Initial Bake: Place the covered dish in your preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. The foil helps to steam the pasta and warm the sauce through without drying out the cheese.
7. Final Bake for Golden Perfection: After 30 minutes, carefully remove the aluminum foil. Return the dish to the oven and continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the cheese and sauce to set slightly, making for easier serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, and enjoy this incredibly easy and delicious meal!

Tips for Success & Easy Variations

Even with just five ingredients, there are a few tricks to make your baked ziti truly spectacular and ideas to customize it to your taste:

• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: For baked pasta dishes, it’s always best to cook the pasta slightly less than al dente. Since it will continue to cook in the oven, this prevents it from becoming mushy. Aim for a firm bite when you drain it.
• Drain Sausage Thoroughly: Excess grease from the sausage can make your dish oily. Make sure to drain it well after cooking for a cleaner, richer flavor.
• Cheese Quality Matters: While any mozzarella will work, freshly shredded mozzarella often melts more smoothly and has better flavor than pre-shredded varieties, which sometimes contain anti-caking agents.
• Customize Your Seasonings: Feel free to adjust the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder to your liking. A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick if you enjoy a little heat.
• Add Veggies (Optional): If you want to sneak in some vegetables without adding a “sixth ingredient” to the core recipe, consider sautéing some diced bell peppers or onions with the sausage. A handful of fresh spinach can also be stirred into the sauce before baking.
• Ricotta Boost: For those who love a creamier, more traditional baked ziti, you can easily add a cup of ricotta cheese. Mix it with 1/2 cup of mozzarella and an egg before layering it into the dish. This makes it more like a lasagna-style ziti.
• Meat Variations: Ground beef or ground turkey can be used in place of Italian sausage for a milder flavor. Just be sure to season well if using unseasoned meat.
• Serving Suggestions: This baked ziti pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad and some warm garlic bread to soak up all that delicious sauce.

Watch the Recipe Video

For a visual guide and more inspiration, watch Julia Pacheco prepare this amazing 5-ingredient baked ziti as part of her easy meal series.

Nutrition Information

Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving:

• Calories: 919 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 75g
• Protein: 42g
• Fat: 50g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 20g
• Cholesterol: 130mg
• Sodium: 1992mg
• Potassium: 1034mg
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 9g
• Vitamin A: 1119 IU
• Vitamin C: 14mg
• Calcium: 350mg
• Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.