Baked ziti is a classic Italian dish that is bound to become your family’s new favorite comfort food.
Some baked ziti recipes add meat to the marinara sauce but we wanted to keep it a little lighter in our version by only using marinara sauce.
We have also jazzed this classic up with some fragrant roasted garlic in the ricotta mix and salty pancetta breadcrumbs to top it all off.
This dish takes just over an hour to make but most of that time is spent in the oven so you can spend the wait time putting your feet up or preparing a delicious dessert!
Why you will love this baked ziti recipe…
Roasted Garlic Ricotta Baked Ziti with Crispy Pancetta Topping
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 4 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
For the Roasted Garlic Ricotta Layer:
- 1 head garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Crispy Pancetta Topping:
- 4 oz pancetta, diced
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Ingredients
Step 1- Prepare the Pasta
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2- Roast the Garlic
- Cut off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves. Place on a piece of foil, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap tightly.
- Roast in the oven for 30-35 minutes until the garlic is golden and soft. Let it cool slightly, then squeeze the cloves out into a bowl and mash.
Step 3- Make the Ricotta Blend
- In the bowl with the roasted garlic, add the ricotta cheese, salt, pepper, and fresh basil. Stir until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
Step 4- Cook the Pancetta
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the pancetta until crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove pancetta with a slotted spoon, and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
- In the same skillet, add the panko breadcrumbs and olive oil, stirring until the breadcrumbs are golden and crisp, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and combine with the crispy pancetta.
Step 5- Assemble the Ziti
- In the greased baking dish, spread half of the marinara sauce.
- Layer with half of the cooked ziti, then spread half of the garlic-ricotta mixture over the pasta.
- Add half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining marinara, ziti, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella/Parmesan.
Step 6- Top with Crispy Pancetta and Breadcrumbs
- Sprinkle the pancetta and panko mixture evenly over the top layer of cheese for that satisfying crunch.
Step 7- Bake
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden, and the topping is crisp.
Step 8- Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot, and enjoy each gooey, garlicky, and crispy bite!
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions
This baked ziti is an excellent dish to make for dinner for the family or when entertaining guests. Serve it alongside a fresh green salad and these garlic butter bread rolls to finish the meal off.
🧑🍳 Expert Tips
Storage Suggestions
Baked Ziti FAQs
Is Baked Ziti the same as lasagna?
Although it is a layered dish, there are a few factors that set these dishes apart. Ziti can be made with a meat sauce or just marinara, while lasagna uses a traditional bolognese sauce for its layers. Ziti uses small, tube-shaped pasta, while lasagna uses flat sheets of pasta.
What is ziti pasta?
Ziti is a long extruded pasta that is tube-shaped with a smooth exterior. It is a specialty shape from the Campania region.
What does ziti mean in Italian?
Ziti is an abbreviated version of the Italian phrase maccheroni di zita, which means ‘macaroni of the bride.’ This likely came about because baked ziti is a popular wedding dish is Southern Italy.
