Baked ziti with meatballs is the definition of cozy, family-style comfort food. This dish combines tender pasta, juicy meatballs, rich marinara sauce, and plenty of melted cheese into one bubbly, golden-brown casserole. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers the next day.
The base of this dish is ziti pasta – short, tube-shaped noodles that hold sauce beautifully. The pasta is cooked until just al dente, then tossed with marinara sauce and layered with meatballs and cheese. The meatballs are typically made from a blend of ground beef, pork, or a mix, seasoned with garlic, Parmesan, herbs, and breadcrumbs to keep them tender and flavorful.
Once the meatballs are browned – either baked or pan-fried – they’re nestled into the saucy pasta along with generous amounts of mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan. As it bakes, the cheese melts into gooey perfection, while the edges of the pasta become crispy and golden, adding a little texture to every bite.
Baked ziti with meatballs is one of those dishes that feels like a big warm hug. It’s ideal for Sunday dinners, potlucks, or anytime you want something filling and comforting. Plus, it’s easy to prepare ahead of time. Assemble everything, cover it, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
Serve it with a simple green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. And don’t forget a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness right before serving.
This dish captures everything people love about Italian-American cooking – simple ingredients, lots of cheese, and a whole lot of flavor. Whether you’re cooking for your family or bringing it to a gathering, baked ziti with meatballs always gets rave reviews and empty plates.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- In a large skillet, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides.
- Pour the marinara sauce into a baking dish. Add the cooked ziti and meatballs. Mix well to combine.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
It was okay, but the meatballs fell apart during cooking. Maybe I didn’t mix enough?
I left out the salt and it tasted so bland! Next time, I’m adding more seasonings.
I thought it needed more seasoning. Didn’t taste like much.
Yummy food! 🤤
Totally agree! This recipe looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it myself! 😋
Tasted good, but I think I added too much salt by mistake. Maybe next time I’ll be more careful.
This was a hit at my dinner party! Everyone loved it, and it was so easy to make. Definitely going to keep this in rotation!
Easy and yum! The meatballs turned out perfect. So filling, I like it!
Meatballs? More like mushballs! Never again.
Sounds like you messed up. Meatballs are supposed to be tasty! Maybe try following the recipe? 🤔
I don’t know what you did, but mine turned out great! Maybe it’s your cooking technique? 🤷♂️
I dont have bread crumbs, can I just use crackers? Asking for a friend…
Ummm love it
So yummy! I added some spinach and it was still delish. Will make again on Sunday!
Absolutely love this recipe! My family devoured it in one meal. Will definitely make again.
This was amazing! My family loved it. Definitely a keeper!
I didn’t have breadcrumbs so I used cracker crumbs and it turned out just fine!
That’s a great idea! Cracker crumbs could actually add a nice crunch. I’ll have to try that next time.
Honestly, I think it’s too cheesy… more cheese than pasta! Maybe I’m just picky?
Easy peasy! I made it in less than an hour. Thanks!
Baked ziti is my go-to comfort food! I added some spinach for extra greens, came out delish! ❤️
What is ziti? Can I use rotini instead? Asking for a friend.
Tasted good but I think the meatballs could have used more flavor. Maybe add some Italian herbs next time?
Great recipe! Very easy and tasty. I actually doubled the cheese, who doesn’t love more cheese?
This is the best baked ziti ever! So cheesy and delicious. 😍
I don’t know, it seems a bit too cheesy for my taste. Can’t you just use less cheese?
Absolutely agree! The combination of cheese and flavors is just perfection. Can’t wait to make it again! 🧀
Ziti? wats that? I used spaghetti and it worked too. lol
Didnt turn out like the picture, but it was still okay. Guess I’m not a chef, lol.
Don’t be too hard on yourself! Cooking takes practice. I’m sure it tasted fine, even if it doesn’t look perfect.
I followed the recipe but it came out dry. Disappointing… I expected better.
It was ok, but I burnt the cheese. I guess it’s my fault for not watching it closely. lol
Burnt cheese happens to the best of us! Just keep an eye on it next time, and I bet it’ll be perfect!
Lol, maybe just try using less cheese? Or take it out sooner, if you like it gooey!
This recipe is too complicated! Can’t I just dump everything in the pot?
This was amazing! My family loved it and went for seconds. Definitely a keeper!
So glad to hear it was a hit! It’s one of my favorites too 😊
This was so delicious! My whole family loved it.
How can u have meatballs without spaghetti? Weird.
Baked ziti is really a classic! I tried this and it came out perfect, though I used chicken instead of beef.
Chicken instead of beef? That’s interesting! I would’ve never thought of that. Glad it worked for you!
Used ground turkey instead of beef and was really good! Healthier but still tasty. Who needs beef?
I can’t believe you used turkey! LOL. Is it really better than beef? I might try it, but I love beef too much!
Gonna give the turkey a shot! Healthy options are good but still want the flavor. Thanks for sharing your twist!
are you sure this is even healthy? I mean, it’s just pasta and cheese…but I want try it 😋
Baked ziti is life! This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner.
It was ok I guess. I add chili flakes next time.
Why do people put meatballs in ziti? Just mix the sauce and ziti and put the cheese on top. This seems unnecessary.
This recipe is amazing! My family loved it. The meatballs were juicy and flavorful. Definitely making it again!
Too much cheese for my taste, and it got a bit greasy. Not a fan. I prefer a lighter dish.
There is a reason that we have different strokes for different people. Not everything is meant for everyone. I love this recipe, although I use my own meatball recipe, and it was fabulous. I use a 2:1 mixture of beef and pork and make my meatballs ahead of time, then vacuum seal them. When I want them, I simply take them out of the freezer. In case you’re interested, I use 2 lbs of 85% ground beef and 1 lb of ground pork, three egg yolks and two whole eggs, 3/4 cup breadcrumbs, lots of Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper to taste, parsley, and some Italian seasoning. I also cook in the oven at 375°F for about 35 minutes or until done, depending on size. When cool, I freeze in vacuum-sealed bags and use them when needed. The rest of the recipe was easy and great.
I wasn’t sure about the bread crumbs in the meatballs. It seemed weird, but it turned out great! Who knew? 🙂
Meatballs are too hard, I must have overcooked them. Followed the instructions but no idea why they came out like that. Anyone else? 😕
Yum!