Classic Baked Ziti Freezing (Printable Version)

Ziti pasta layered with ricotta, marinara, and mozzarella—make ahead and freeze for an easy baked meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Main Components

01 - 1 pound ziti pasta, cooked al dente and drained
02 - 3 cups marinara sauce
03 - 2 cups ricotta cheese
04 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 large egg
07 - Salt, to taste
08 - Black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, salt, and pepper until thoroughly blended.
02 - In a large bowl, toss the cooked ziti with half of the marinara sauce until coated.
03 - Spread half of the pasta mixture into a baking dish. Top evenly with ricotta mixture, half of the mozzarella, and remaining pasta. Pour over the remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella.
04 - Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
05 - Place the assembled dish in the freezer until ready to bake.
06 - When ready to serve, bake the covered frozen casserole at 375°F (190°C) for 50–60 minutes, or until hot and bubbling throughout.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Requires only simple ingredients already in the pantry and fridge
  • Great for making ahead and storing in the freezer
  • Crowd-pleaser—everyone from picky kids to hungry guests will ask for seconds
  • Ready to bake straight from the freezer
02 -
  • Bakes beautifully straight from the freezer
  • Prep once and enjoy two or more meals
  • Perfect for sharing with friends or neighbors in need
03 -
  • Let the casserole sit ten minutes after baking so it slices neatly
  • Do not skip the step of tightly sealing with foil A good seal prevents icy freezer crystals
  • Label the pan with baking directions so no one has to guess how long to bake
  • Baked ziti always disappears fast at family gatherings so I double the recipe and freeze half Having a homemade meal ready for later is a huge gift to my future self
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