Baked Ziti
Ziti folded with marinara and ricotta, then baked under a blanket of mozzarella until it bubbles at the edges — about $2.32 a serving from a dish that feeds four generously, or six with a salad. The ricotta is what makes it feel like a different dish from plain pasta, and stirring it into the hot ziti with the marinara melts it into the sauce instead of sitting in dry pockets. Twenty minutes in the oven is all the baking it needs. It is a good dinner for a crowd, a potluck, or a make-ahead night: assemble it in the morning and bake it later. It also freezes well before baking.
45 min
4
$9.29
$2.32
Ingredients
Estimated Aldi prices for the amount this dinner uses, based on regular shelf prices and the current weekly ad.
Steps
- 1Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cook the ziti until just shy of al dente; drain.
- 2Stir the ricotta, half the mozzarella, the Italian seasoning, and minced garlic into the hot pasta with the marinara.
- 3Spread in a baking dish, top with the remaining mozzarella and the parmesan.
- 4Bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top; rest 5 minutes before serving.
Tips & swaps
- Add a layer of cooked ground beef or Italian sausage if you want a meat version.
- Penna or rigatoni work in place of ziti with the same timing.
- Cook the pasta a minute shy of al dente so it does not turn soft in the oven.
- Rest it five minutes before cutting so the portions hold together.
Related recipes
Chicken Alfredo
Creamy alfredo pasta with chicken and broccoli.
Spaghetti & Meatballs
Classic spaghetti with juicy homemade meatballs.
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Rice, broccoli, and cheddar baked into a creamy, comforting casserole.
Put Baked Ziti into your week
Add it to a plan built around this week's Aldi deals, or browse all 50 cheap dinner ideas and pick the rest of the week yourself.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by ALDI Inc.