Do you cover baked ziti while cooking?

Since the ziti is cooked completely on the stovetop, the oven is used only to melt the cheese on top and heat the mixture through. There's no need to cover unless you're reheating leftovers.

What's the difference between baked ziti and lasagna?

While the two may have similar ingredients, lasagna is made with layers of pasta sheets, while ziti sports tubular noodles that fill with sauce as it bakes.

Can I use store-bought pasta sauce for baked ziti?

Yes—ziti can be made using store-bought sauce for a shortcut option.

How do you keep a baked ziti from drying out?

If you notice your ziti has become a bit dry, add a splash or two of water and cover while heating through to add extra moisture.

Baked Ziti With Chicken Recipe

Active Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

Servings:

When you're in the market for a comforting weeknight dinner recipe that feeds a hungry family and doesn't require a whole lot of cleanup, this baked ziti with chicken is about as dependable as it gets.

Cheesy, hearty, and customizable for when you want to use store-bought ingredients, this baked pasta casserole can make even leftovers sound exciting. This recipe chooses to forgo the usual ground beef or Italian sausage in favor of something even easier: rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Simply shred and stir into the dish for a filling protein that tends to appeal to even the pickiest of eaters.

While the recipe chooses to use low-prep, store-bought options like rotisserie chicken and pre-shredded cheese, the homemade sauce makes all the difference. Simmering it down into a rich tomato sauce allows insanely savory flavor to be soaked into every noodle when baking later.

Learn how to make baked ziti with chicken, and trust us on this one—everyone will enjoy it!

What Is Baked Ziti?

While this dish might be full of Italian flavors, baked ziti is not a traditional Italian dish. Typically made with ziti pasta, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and sometimes ground meat, it's a hearty casserole that originated in the United States as an American adaptation of classic Italian pasta dishes. But delicious it is. Easy to prepare and ready in under an hour, baked ziti is often served as a hearty weeknight meal, for family gatherings, and potlucks.

Ingredients for Baked Ziti With Chicken

With signature Italian flavors, from garlic to tomatoes, pasta, basil, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, this dependable Italian-inspired bake is hearty, satisfying, and a great dish to throw together any night of the week. To make baked ziti with chicken, you'll need:

Olive oil: Used to sauté the onions and garlic.
Yellow onion: An aromatic base for the ziti.
Garlic: Adds a savory depth.
Canned whole peeled plum tomatoes: Base for the tomato sauce, adding a chunky texture and natural sweetness.
Canned crushed tomatoes: For a thick, smooth sauce with intense tomato flavor.
Kosher salt and pepper: Enhances the flavor of the ziti.
Crushed red pepper: For a hint of peppery heat.
Ziti pasta, uncooked: Medium pasta shapes that become filled with sauce for a hearty, saucy dish.
Shredded rotisserie chicken: Adds protein and bulks up the ziti.
Basil: For a fresh herbal note.
Cooking spray: Prevents the ziti from sticking to the pan.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty flavor.
Shredded low-moisture whole-milk mozzarella: For a classic melty, cheesy topping.

How To Make Baked Ziti With Chicken

Ready in under an hour, this baked pasta dish is easy to throw together and great for making ahead. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Cook onion and garlic: Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onion and cook, stirring, until translucent. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Step 2. Add tomatoes and seasoning for sauce: Add both kinds of tomatoes, salt, pepper, and red pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Step 3. Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti, and cook until just al dente. Drain and return to pot.
Step 4. Add sauce and chicken to pasta: Preheat oven to 375°F. Stir tomato mixture, shredded chicken, and basil into ziti.
Step 5. Add ziti to baking dish: Pour half of ziti mixture into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with 1/3 cup Parmesan and 1 cup mozzarella, then remaining ziti and remaining cheeses.
Step 6. Bake: Bake until cheese is melted. Remove from oven, and let rest 10 minutes. Garnish with basil before serving.

Baked Ziti With Chicken Variations

If this baked ziti becomes one of your weekly standbys, consider these variations to mix things up:

Add vegetables: Sautéed or roasted bell peppers, eggplant, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, zucchini, or spinach can add flavor, nutrients, and a pop of color.
Herbs: Amp up the flavor with oregano, thyme, or Italian seasoning.
Ricotta: For creamy pockets within the ziti, dot in ricotta cheese along with the mozzarella and Parmesan.
Top with breadcrumbs: For a crispy crust, top with a mixture of seasoned breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese before baking.
Chicken: Swap the chicken with cooked Italian sausage or ground beef for a meaty flavor.
Cheeses: For extra complexity, swap some of the mozzarella with fontina, provolone, or Asiago cheese.
Crushed red pepper: For a little heat, add in crushed red pepper flakes before baking.

Can I Make Baked Ziti With Chicken in Advance?

Baked ziti can be made ahead for a weeknight meal that's ready to serve when you are. Assemble the ziti, wrap, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking as directed. Leave at room temperature while the oven preheats, and tent with foil. Bake until the dish is hot throughout and the cheese is melted.

You can also freeze unbaked ziti for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking until hot throughout and the cheese is melted, covering with foil to prevent excess browning. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.

How To Store and Reheat Leftover Baked Ziti With Chicken

Wrap and refrigerate leftover ziti for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Divide into smaller portions before freezing for quicker thawing. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then heat, covered, in a preheated 350°F oven until the internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving. You can also reheat in the microwave.

What To Serve With Baked Ziti With Chicken

Serve the baked ziti with crusty bread or garlic bread for a classic addition. You can also pair with a side of sautéed or roasted vegetables, or a side salad for a well-rounded meal.

More Hearty Baked Pasta Recipes You'll Love

The comforting aroma and hearty makeup of baked pasta dishes make them a cornerstone of hearty, home-cooked meals. These pasta bakes are easy to bring together, and perfect for the whole family to enjoy:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion (from 1 [10-oz.] onion)
1 Tbsp. minced garlic (about 3 medium garlic cloves)
1 (28-oz.) can whole peeled plum tomatoes, tomatoes coarsely crushed by hand and juices reserved
2 (14.5-oz.) cans crushed tomatoes, undrained
2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 lb. uncooked ziti
3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (from 1 rotisserie chicken)
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil, plus more for garnish
Cooking spray
1 1/2 oz. Parmesan cheese, finely shredded (about 2/3 cup), divided
8 oz. pre-shredded low-moisture whole-milk mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups), divided

Directions

Cook onion and garlic:

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add tomatoes and seasoning for sauce:

Add plum tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper; bring to a boil over medium. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and sauce thickens, about 30 minutes.
Cook pasta:

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti, and boil until just al dente, according to package directions. Drain and return ziti to pot.
Add sauce and chicken to pasta:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Add tomato mixture, shredded chicken, and basil to ziti; stir to coat thoroughly.
Add ziti to baking dish:

Pour half of ziti mixture into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with 1/3 cup of the Parmesan and 1 cup of the mozzarella. Top with remaining ziti mixture, and sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan and 1 cup mozzarella.
Bake:

Bake in preheated oven until cheese has melted, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and let rest 10 minutes. Garnish with additional basil before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you cover baked ziti while cooking?

Since the ziti is cooked completely on the stovetop, the oven is used only to melt the cheese on top and heat the mixture through. There's no need to cover unless you're reheating leftovers.
What's the difference between baked ziti and lasagna?

While the two may have similar ingredients, lasagna is made with layers of pasta sheets, while ziti sports tubular noodles that fill with sauce as it bakes.
Can I use store-bought pasta sauce for baked ziti?

Yes—ziti can be made using store-bought sauce for a shortcut option.
How do you keep a baked ziti from drying out?

If you notice your ziti has become a bit dry, add a splash or two of water and cover while heating through to add extra moisture.