Ziti Bake Freezer Meal Recipe
Drenched in flavorful sauce, loaded with cheese, and anchored with perfectly cooked pasta, this recipe is the answer to all of my pasta prayers.
It doesn’t take much to trigger a pasta craving in me. And, usually, the pasta dish I crave is one that’s anchored in perfectly cooked pasta, drenched in flavorful sauce, and loaded with cheese. But with a husband, four kids (plus their schooling and activities), and multiple businesses, I really didn’t have time to spend in the kitchen preparing the Italian dish of my dreams…until our Ziti Bake entered the picture. Drenched in flavorful sauce, loaded with cheese, and anchored with perfectly cooked pasta, this recipe is the answer to all of my pasta prayers. (I think it will be the answer to yours, too).
It might just be the answer to some other prayers also, y’all. Because of its make-ahead freezer meal nature, our Ziti Bake recipe blesses more than just your taste buds. It really is as simple as it sounds: a few minutes of prep leaves you with the fulfillment of your craving on hand long before it ever hits, so all you have to do is pop it in the oven and wait. It’s a dream come true.
Whether you came here with a pasta craving or not, you’ve got to turn this family favorite into a freezer staple with me. It’s easy, and the reward is *chef’s kiss.*
Why You’ll Love this Easy Ziti Bake Freezer Meal Recipe
- Quick Assembly: The ingredients come together quickly, you don’t need to be a culinary pro, and it requires minimal effort.
- Easily Adaptable: Ingredients are easy to swap to accommodate any dietary needs or preferences.
- Kid-Friendly: Kids love pasta, which means Ziti Bake is bound to be a hit.
Ziti Bake Freezer Meal Recipe
Drenched in flavorful sauce, loaded with cheese, and anchored with perfectly cooked pasta, this recipe is the answer to all of my pasta prayers.
Equipment
- 1 8×8 oven safe casserole dish and lid or aluminum foil to cover
- 1 Mixing bowl medium
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 24 oz Red pasta sauce jar
- 1 tbsp Onion powder
- 2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 4 Eggs large
- 4 tbsp Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese
- 1 lb Penne pasta
Instructions
Prep | Freezer Directions:
- Label an 8×8 oven safe casserole dish according to your preferred method.
- Cook the pasta to Al Dente.
- Brown ground beef, then drain and add tomato sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Stir noodles and meat sauce together in casserole dish. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and cheese. Incorporate into noodles and meat sauce, stirring to combine.
- Cover and store in freezer for up to three months.
Oven | Cooking Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cook frozen Baked Ziti for 60-70 min.
- Allow to cool for 15 minutes, then serve!
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Equipment Needed to make Freezer-Friendly Baked Ziti
- 1 8×8 oven safe casserole dish and lid, or aluminum foil to cover
- 1 Mixing bowl, medium
Ingredients for your Ziti Bake
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 24 oz Red pasta sauce, jar
- 1 tbsp Onion powder
- 2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 4 Eggs, large
- 4 tbsp Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese
- 1 lb Penne pasta
How to Make Ziti Bake
Prep | Freezer Directions:
- Label an 8×8 oven safe casserole dish according to your preferred method.
- Cook the pasta to Al Dente.
- Brown ground beef, then drain and add tomato sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Stir noodles and meat sauce together in casserole dish. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and cheese. Incorporate into noodles and meat sauce, stirring to combine.
- Cover and store in freezer for up to three months.
Oven | Cooking Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cook frozen Baked Ziti for 60-70 min.
- Allow to cool for 15 minutes, then serve!
What to Pair with your Make-Ahead Ziti Bake
Sides:
- Broccoli Ranch Twice Baked Potatoes
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
- Mixed Green Salad with an Italian Vinaigrette
Desserts:
- Peanut Butter Cup Trifle
- Lemon Drop Cookies
- Frozen Fruit Whip
Mocktails:
- Guava Daiquiri Mocktail
- Sparkling Coconut Grape Juice
- Pink Party Punch
Popular Substitutions and Additions
Substitutions:
- Ground Turkey: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey if you’re looking for a leaner option. It seasons well and cooks similarly to beef, which means it’s an easy substitution.
- Ricotta Cheese: In place of the eggs and parmesan, use ricotta cheese. It will add a creaminess to the texture and bring a rich flavor to complement the red sauce.
Additions:
- Spinach: Add chopped spinach for additional color, nutritional benefits, and a slightly earthy flavor to the dish.
- Mushrooms: Saute diced mushrooms with the ground beef for an umami flavor and added texture.
How to Reheat and Store Ziti Bake
Best way to store leftover Budget-Friendly Freezer Ziti Bake?
Leftover Ziti Bake is best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. In order to maintain texture and flavor, allow recipe to cool completely before storing.
How long will Ziti Bake last in the fridge?
When properly stored in an airtight container, Ziti Bake will stay fresh for three to five days in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze Easy Ziti Bake freezer meal?
We freeze before cooking and advise against freezing leftovers because of the negative impact it has on the dish’s texture and flavor. If you cannot consume refrigerated leftovers within the recommended time frame, you can freeze them, just beware that the second round isn’t as delicious.
How to Reheat Convenient Make Ahead Ziti Bake Dinner?
This recipe is able to be reheated in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave.
Budget-Friendly Ziti Bake Meal FAQs
Other Pasta Recipes You’ll Love!
- Million Dollar Pasta
- Pizza Pasta Casserole
- Lazy Lasagna Ravioli Style Freezer Meal Recipe
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Chicken Gnocchi Soup Freezer Meal
Don’t forget to Pin this recipe for later!
Don’t forget to come back and let me know how your Ziti Bake turned out!
