This Vodka Sauce Baked Ziti is creamy, cheesy, and seriously comforting. It’s made with just a handful of ingredients—like creamy vodka sauce, ricotta, and fresh mozzarella. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but tasty enough to serve to company. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or bringing a dish to share, this baked pasta will always be a hit.
This ziti with vodka sauce is a cozy, meatless pasta dinner that’s still rich, creamy, and satisfying. Craving something with meat instead? Try one of these hearty favorites: Beef Stuffed Pasta Shells, Lasagna Casserole, or Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
💙 No meat, no problem – This pasta dish is still hearty and satisfying!
💙 Easy ingredients – No need to make sauce from scratch, when there’s delicious pre-made sauce available.
💙 Family favorite – Loved by kids and grown-ups alike.
Ingredient Photo
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Ziti: If you don’t have ziti, penne or rigatoni work just as well. Whole wheat, chickpea of gf pasta also work if you have special dietary needs.
- Vodka Sauce: I use jarred to keep things simple, but if you have a homemade version you love, go for it. This is also great with your favorite marinara sauce.
- Ricotta: Cottage cheese is a decent swap in a pinch (it’s not as firm as ricotta).
- Mozzarella: I usually use pre-shredded mozzarella—it doesn’t melt quite as smoothly, but it’s super convenient. For this batch, I had a block I originally bought for something else and needed to use it up, so I shredded it myself.
- Egg: Helps hold the ricotta mixture together. You can leave it out if needed, but the texture will be softer.
- Parmesan: Adds a salty, cheesy boost on top. Pecorino Romano is another good option.
- Fresh Italian Parsley: Italian (flat-leaf) parsley has a stronger flavor than curly parsley, so it’s the best choice here. If you don’t have fresh parsley, you can use dried parsley, about 1/4 of the amount called for in the recipe, or just skip it altogether.
Variations
- Add meat: Stir in cooked Italian sausage or ground beef if you want something heartier.
- Add veggies: Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini can be added.
- Make it spicy: Sprinkle in red pepper flakes or use a spicy vodka sauce.
How Long Does Baked Ziti Last in the Fridge?
Baked ziti will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. Let it cool to room temperature before refrigerating, and reheat in the microwave or oven until hot all the way through. If you won’t finish it in time, you can also freeze it for longer storage.
Step-By-Step Instructions (with photos)
See recipe card below for complete directions with amounts.
Step 1: Cook pasta al dente according to the package directions. Mix 1 1/2 cups vodka sauce, ricotta cheese, egg, and 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese together in a large bowl.
Step 2: Pour the pasta mixture into a prepared casserole dish.
Step 3: Top with the remaining sauce.
Step 4: Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Can you freeze baked ziti?
Yes, this dish freezes really well—either before or after baking!
To freeze before baking:
- Assemble the ziti in a freezer-safe dish but don’t bake it.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn.
- Freeze for up to 2–3 months.
When you’re ready to cook it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake as directed (you may need to add 15-20 extra minutes to the baking time).
To freeze after baking:
- Let it cool completely.
- Portion into individual servings or freeze the whole thing.
- Store in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil.
- Freeze for up to 2–3 months.
To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through, or microwave individual portions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the egg helps bind the ricotta, but you can leave it out if needed. The filling will be a bit softer but still tasty.
It is! But the alcohol cooks off during preparation, so you won’t taste it—and it’s safe for kids.
Absolutely! Assemble the casserole and refrigerate it up to a day in advance, then bake as directed. It will need to bake about 45-50 minutes.
Cover with aluminum foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 20–30 minutes. Or reheat individual serving in the microwave in 45-second intervals, stirring each time, until heated through.
Try these pasta dishes next!
Want to stretch this meal even farther? Serve it with a simple Italian-style Salad and Texas Toast Garlic Bread. You might even get more than one meal out of it! We love when we can make dinner once and enjoy the leftovers again (and again).
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Vodka Sauce Baked Ziti Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups ziti
- 1 jar vodka sauce 24 oz
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 16 oz mozzarella cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
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Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente according to the package directions, usually around 10 minutes.
- Mix 1 1/2 cups vodka sauce, ricotta cheese, egg, parsley and 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese together in a large bowl.
- Add the hot pasta and stir until combined.
- Pour the pasta mixture into a prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining sauce, remaining mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
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