Baked Ziti Recipe Guide (UK Friendly)
Only a baked ziti can provide the comfort and satisfaction found in layers of pasta, sauce, cheese and a tasty type of meat. A recipe known mostly in Italian-American families, baked ziti is becoming a favorite across the globe because it is tasty and can be prepared ahead.
This guide includes instructions, options for finding the same ingredients UK grocery stores, advice on how to store it and other tips. This baked ziti is a hit with any crowd since it is both tasty, simple and comforting.
Baked Ziti is a type of pasta dish
Baked ziti is a dish made of ziti pasta (or an alternative), combined with ricotta, sauce and various Italian cheeses. Usually, assembling it in a large pan is just like making lasagne, but it requires less effort.
It is especially liked in the United States, but you can make it using products found at Tesco, Sainsbury’s or Waitrose in the UK.
Food List (for 6 to 8 people)
- Ziti pasta (or penne/rigatoni as alternatives)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Chopped onion (small pieces)
- 3–4 cloves minced garlic
- Meat or vegetarian alternative
- 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chilli flakes (optional)
Cheese Mixture
- 250g ricotta (or soft cheese)
- 100g cooked and grated Parmesan
- 250g grated mozzarella
- 1 large beaten egg
Ricotta can be found in most larger shops in the UK. Substitute with soft cheese like Philadelphia if needed.
Kitchen Equipment
- Large saucepan
- Frying pan
- Large bowl
- Similar-sized baking dish
- Wooden spoon
- Aluminium foil
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare your pasta
Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the pasta and cook it for 2 minutes less than the packet says. Drain and set aside.
Tip: Don’t overcook or the pasta may become mushy.
Step 2: Make the sauce
Heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Add meat to the pan and cook until brown (7–10 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
Add tomatoes, tomato purée, oregano, chilli flakes, salt and pepper. Simmer on low heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Tip: Add a splash of red wine or a tsp of sugar to balance acidity.
Step 3: Mix the cheese
In a large bowl, mix ricotta, Parmesan, egg and half the mozzarella. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Assemble
Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F / Gas Mark 4.
Grease the baking dish lightly. Layer half of the pasta and meat sauce. Pour half of the cheese mixture on top. Repeat layers with remaining pasta and sauce.
Top with remaining mozzarella for a brown bubbly crust.
Step 5: Bake
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then uncover and bake another 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Family Meal Prep is an Idea Found in Daily Life
Every Sunday, I prepare a big serving of baked ziti, store it in portions and freeze them. Hearty and filling, my kids love it since they can just zap it in the microwave.
— Janine C., Bristol
Taste Profile
- Creamy and airy sauce
- Pasta cooked just right
- Strong tomato and beef flavor
- Hints of garlic and herbs
- Melted mozzarella for comfort
The Usage of Refrigerators and Freezers
- Fridge: Store in airtight container for up to 4 days
- Freeze: Cooled portions can be frozen for up to 3 months
- Reheat: Use microwave or oven at 180°C with foil
Recipe Variations
Baked Ziti With a Vegetarian Taste
Use mushrooms, courgettes and aubergines with garlic and herbs instead of meat.
Spicy Ziti
Add spicy Italian sausage, harissa paste or fresh chilli flakes.
Creamy Twist
Add 100ml double cream to the ricotta mixture for extra creaminess.
Gluten-Free Option
Use gluten-free pasta and ensure other ingredients are labelled gluten-free.
Informational Serving (Approximate Nutrition)
- Calories: 550–600 kcal
- Protein: ~25g
- Carbohydrates: ~45g
- Fat: ~30g
- Saturated Fat: ~15g
- Fibre: ~5g
- Sodium: Moderate
🥗 Serve with lettuce or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
Serving Suggestions
- Garlic bread or crusty baguette
- Side salad with balsamic vinaigrette
- Grated Parmesan on top
- Glass of Italian red wine or Chianti (for adults)
You can prepare this dish a day in advance and bake it before serving—ideal for dinner parties or potlucks.
- Will penne work instead of ziti?
Yes. Penne or rigatoni are great substitutes. - Can I skip ricotta?
Yes, you can use soft cheese or béchamel sauce. - Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Use two baking dishes or a large roasting tray. - Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes. Use Violife (or similar) dairy-free cheese and a vegan egg substitute.
Eating baked ziti is a way to gather with friends or family. Whenever you need a quick meal or want to save something for later, this recipe has rich and easy steps. The UK version of this dish adapts an Italian-American classic, making it easier to enjoy, high in comfort and irresistible.
Discover Related Articles and Resources
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| Read Related Article | Discover more about this topic and enhance your knowledge with our related article. | Read More | allrecipes |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q.My baked ziti always turns out dry! How do I keep it saucy and creamy?
A.A dry pasta baked is such disappointment! The trick to this is to add a bit more sauce than you may feel inclined to as the pasta will absorb a great deal of it as it bakes. You should also leave your pasta to undercook between a minute and two. It will be baked in the oven and absorb the delicious sauce whilst remaining tender, but not going mushy or drying out the dish.
Q.I can’t find ziti pasta in my local store. What can I use instead?
A.Fear not, ziti are hard to get here! The ideal alternative would be the penne pasta, it is quite similar in size and shape and very much accessible everywhere. Even some elbow macaroni will work in a pinch; you want something short and tube-like that can contain all the goopy cheesy, meaty sauce.
Q.What’s the best cheese to use for that stretchy, cheesy pull?
A.To get that final cheese pull that you get in pictures, no one does it better than mozzarella. Nonetheless, it is rather costly. An excellent local substitute is the application of a quality good kind of a pizza cheese that is meant to melt well. Or you can add some mozzarella to a local cheddar cheese and have both excellent flavour and stretchy texture.
Q.Can I make this dish with chicken instead of beef mince (qeema)?
A.Absolutely! Just as delicious is chicken ziti. Just replace the beef by chicken mince. All you need to keep in mind is that chicken cooks much quicker so you really just have to brown it in the pan until it loses its pink color to add your sauce and additional ingredients.
Q.Can I assemble the baked ziti ahead of time for a dawat (dinner party)?
A.Sure, it is an ideal prep dish. The whole casserole can be made up a day ahead of time and stored with it tightly covered and refrigerated. Once you want to eat it just put it in the oven to bake. It may also require an extra 10-15 minutes to the time the baking is taking because it will now be starting with a cold duration.
Q.How can I add more flavour to my tomato sauce?
A.To give your sauce more flavor, follow your instructions strictly when sauteing your onions till soft and rich golden before proceeding with the addition of garlic and mince. Some crushed red chili flakes (kutti laal mirch) give an adequate warmth without overheating. Lastly, a teaspoon of dried oregano is an easy extra that would add the entire dish that familiar nostalgic Italian flavor.