Easy Make Ahead Baked Ziti

Cooking for a crowd is easier than you think with this make ahead baked ziti recipe! It is one of my go-to recipes when I am going to a potluck, entertaining a crowd or even bringing a meal to a friend. I love that I can prepare the whole thing in advance and pop it in the fridge until I’m ready to heat it up. During the holidays, we often attend potlucks and gatherings where we each bring a hot dish to share. Baked ziti is always a hit and the first one to run out!

Last week I was part of a group supplying dinner for about 25 adults. It just so happened that my assigned day was the busiest day I would have all week! The beauty of baked ziti is that I could prepare it in the morning, deliver it in the afternoon and serve it in the evening. I didn’t have to spend a couple of hours before dinnertime trying to get that done, plus our dinner at home and everything else I had going on that day. I had recently received my new 10-piece set of stainless cookware by REVERE® with the Copper Confidence Core™! You remember REVERE®, right? They’ve been around a long time and both my mom and my grandma had REVEREware! Well I couldn’t wait to try them out! 

Easy Make Ahead Baked Ziti

• 16 oz Ziti Pasta, cooked according to directions
• 1-2 Jars Pasta Sauce of Choice 
• 1 lb Ground Beef, Ground Turkey (or 3-5 Sausage Links)
• 1 Tsp Italian Seasoning
• 1 Clove Garlic, minced
• 1 TBSP Olive Oil
• 2 C Mozzarella, Shredded
• 1/2 Cup Ricotta, optional
• Fresh Parsley or Basil, minced, optional
• Salt & Pepper, to taste

Begin by preparing ziti pasta, according to directions. 

While the pasta is cooking, place a large skillet over medium heat, lightly coated in olive oil. Brown your ground beef or turkey and add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, midway through the cooking. Now is when you will also add salt and pepper, to taste. Once browned, drain any excess fat and add the pasta sauce. Heat thoroughly, stirring occasionally over medium-low heat.

Drain pasta when done, then mix about 1/2 cup of pasta sauce into the pasta to prevent sticking. Lightly spray the inside of your pan, then a very thin coating of pasta sauce on the bottom. Now you have two options. If you like, mix in the remaining meat sauce to your pasta, then place the baked ziti mixture in the baking pan. Another option is to add some of the sauce to the pasta, transfer to the baking pan and top it with the remaining meat sauce. Either way is fine, its your preference.

Next you will add scattered spoonfuls of ricotta, if you are choosing to use it. I like this option because it reminds me of lasagna. YUM! Add shredded mozzarella to the top. 

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees and heat for about 30 minutes. Serve with a salad and garlic bread. Baked Ziti is a super easy make ahead meal! Now of course I have made my own pasta sauce, which is super yummy, and you can too. But, sometimes I just don’t have the time to spend doing that, so I like to have some semi-homemade tricks up my sleeve to save time. I actually made one with meat sauce and one with marinara and ricotta. I needed to have a meatless option for the crowd we cooked for. You can customize this any way you like. Add veggies, layer it, whatever you like! For convenience, I like to keep these ingredients on hand most of the time, just to be prepared. Its also an easy meal when you haven’t planned dinner. I buy ground turkey in bulk and will usually cook it all when I get home. Then I divide it and freeze the cooked meat in quart sized freezer bags. This way, I can just quickly defrost one for a quick and easy meal like this!

*Aluminum pans with lids is something else I keep on hand so that when I do deliver a meal, I don’t have to worry about going back for my pan. This is another item I buy in bulk about once per year. 

And there is my super quick and easy (make-ahead) Baked Ziti recipe! If you have any unique twists on baked ziti, please share them in the comments!

Now, back to my REVERE® pans! They were so easy to use and store well too. This new REVERE® cookware also features the patent pending Nest & Protect™ interlocking handles. Pots and pans store efficiently, seemingly floating above each other, without touching or scratching the interior or exterior surfaces. It is available for purchase at Amazon.com and ShopWorldKitchen.com.

My kids are loving these pans too. They love to make this stove top POPCORN . It is even more fun with a clear lid because they can see the popcorn popping!

So how would you like to win a starter set of the REVERE® Copper Confidence Core™ 2-pc Stainless Steel Medium Frying Pan Starter Set? This set includes: (1) 8 inch fry pan & (1) 10 inch fry pan.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Features:

• Copper Confidence Core™ – Aluminum encapsulated stainless steel base features a copper disc at the center for quicker and more even heating to help cook foods up to 50 percent faster than heavy gauge pans
• Nest & Protect™ – Innovative interlocking handles elevate pans for scratch-free, space saving storage (patent pending design also compatible between stainless steel and aluminum)
• Quick Measure Marks – Laser-engraved easy reference measurement marks included in sauce pans, stock pots and Dutch ovens
• Stay Cool Handles – Dual-riveted stainless steel and phenolic handles stay cool for maximum comfort and safety
• Classic Stainless Steel – Resists discoloration, does not react with food or alter flavors
• Cooktop Compatibility – Compatible with all cooktop surfaces, including induction
• Tempered Glass Dome Lids – Lock in heat and moisture and make checking cooking status quick and easy
• Interchangeable Lids for All Vessels – Compatible between both stainless steel and aluminum; Sauté Pan, Dutch Oven, Stock Pot and 10” Fry Pan can share the same lid
• Oven Safe – Up to 350 degrees; Dutch Oven and Braising Pans up to 500 degrees without lid
• Drip-Free Pouring Rims – Transfer liquids or food without making a mess
• Dishwasher safe – For effortless clean-up
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

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Disclosure: This post was sponsored by World Kitchen LLC and may contain affiliate links. All opinions are 100% my own.