Olive Garden-Style Baked Ziti – Cheesy Restaurant-Inspired Pasta

Why Make This Recipe

There’s something incredibly comforting about a baked ziti dish, especially on a busy weeknight. This Olive Garden Baked Ziti recipe brings together the best of Italian-American comfort food—warm noodles, rich sauce, and creamy cheeses—all in one comforting casserole. It’s easy to make, perfect for feeding a family, and sure to please even the fussiest eaters. Plus, the leftovers are fantastic, making this a great choice for meal prep!

How to Make Olive Garden Baked Ziti

Making baked ziti at home is not only satisfying but also super simple. Here’s how to do it in just a few steps, perfect for busy evenings.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your baked ziti cooks evenly and gets that lovely golden top.
2. Cook the Ziti Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is well blended.
4. Add Italian Seasoning: Taste your cheese mixture to ensure it’s seasoned to your liking. You can adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large bowl, mix the cooked ziti with the marinara sauce. Ensure every piece of pasta is well coated.
6. Layer in Baking Dish: In a greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture at the bottom. Spoon over half of the cheese mixture, and then spread the remaining pasta on top.
7. Add Remaining Sauce: Pour the rest of the marinara sauce over the top, and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
8. Bake the Ziti: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
9. Check the Cheese: When you take it out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes. The cheese will be ooey-gooey, and it’s hard to resist!
10. Garnish and Serve: If you’d like, chop up some fresh basil to sprinkle on top before serving. It adds a lovely burst of color and flavor.

How to Serve Olive Garden Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is great on its own, but if you want to make it a full meal, consider serving it with a simple green salad and some garlic bread. Kids love it, and it pairs nicely with a glass of sparkling water or a child-friendly fruit-infused drink!

How to Store Olive Garden Baked Ziti

Leftovers? No problem! You can store baked ziti in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just reheat in the oven or microwave. If you want to freeze it, wrap it tightly and it’ll last for about 3 months. Just remember to thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Tips to Make Olive Garden Baked Ziti

• Make Ahead: Consider preparing the dish ahead of time. You can assemble it, cover it, and refrigerate it. Just increase baking time slightly if it’s cold from the fridge.
• Cheese Choices: Feel free to mix it up with different cheeses. If you have kids who don’t like ricotta, cottage cheese is a mild swap.
• Vegetarian Option: Add cooked veggies, like spinach or mushrooms, for extra nutrients.

Variation (if any)

This baked ziti dish is versatile. Feel free to swap the marinara out for a white sauce (like alfredo) for a creamy twist. You can also add cooked ground turkey or chicken instead of meat, or even go for a meatless version with sautéed bell peppers and zucchini to sneak in some veggies!

FAQs

1. Can I use another type of pasta?

Absolutely! If you have penne or rigatoni on hand, you can easily substitute those for ziti.

2. Is there a gluten-free option?

Yes! Use gluten-free pasta that you enjoy, and the recipe will still be just as delicious.

3. How long will leftovers last?

In the fridge, leftovers will stay fresh for up to 4 days. Just keep them in an airtight container!

Baked ziti is a true weeknight hero, providing warmth and happiness to the table. I hope your family enjoys this dish as much as mine does! Enjoy your cooking adventure!

Olive Garden Baked Ziti

---

• Author: mixturarecipes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

A comforting baked ziti dish with warm noodles, rich sauce, and creamy cheeses, perfect for family meals and meal prep.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

---

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, then drain and set aside.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. In a large bowl, mix the cooked ziti with the marinara sauce until coated.
5. In a greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture at the bottom, then spoon over half of the cheese mixture, and top with the remaining pasta.
6. Pour the rest of the marinara sauce over the top, and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
7. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
8. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian pasta, comfort food, casserole, vegetarian meal