If you’ve been searching for a comforting, crowd-pleasing Italian dish that’s loaded with flavor and easy to prepare, this Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Mozzarella Recipe is going to become your new go-to favorite. Imagine tender ziti pasta enveloped in a rich tomato sauce bursting with earthy mushrooms and garlicky warmth, all topped with melty, lightly browned mozzarella cheese. It’s cozy, utterly satisfying, and perfect for dinner parties or a family meal that tastes like a warm hug on a plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of these ingredients—they each play an essential role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color that elevate this dish to something truly special.
- Ziti pasta (16 oz.): The perfect pasta shape to hold sauce and cheese in every bite.
- Olive oil (3 Tbsp.): Adds richness and is key for sautéing the mushrooms to golden perfection.
- Mixed sliced mushrooms (2 lbs.): Brings earthiness and a meaty texture that complements the pasta beautifully.
- Garlic cloves (3, minced): Infuses the sauce with a warm, aromatic foundation worth savoring.
- Crushed tomatoes (28 oz. can): The base of the sauce, providing bright acidity and depth.
- Sugar (1 tsp.): Balances the acidity of the tomatoes for a smooth, well-rounded sauce.
- Salt (1/4 tsp.): Enhances all the natural flavors without overpowering.
- Part-skim mozzarella cheese (3/4 cup, grated): Melts beautifully and adds that irresistibly gooey, golden crust.
How to Make Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Mozzarella Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pasta and Casserole
Start by heating your oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray—that way your cheesy creation won’t stick and will come out perfectly every time. Cook your ziti pasta according to the package instructions until it’s just al dente. Rinse it briefly under cold water to stop the cooking, drain thoroughly, and spread it evenly in your prepared casserole dish. This sets the stage for layering with the delicious mushroom tomato sauce and cheese.
Step 2: Sauté the Mushrooms and Create the Sauce
Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add your mushrooms and don’t stir immediately; let them brown on one side for about 7 minutes to develop deep, savory flavors. Stir and cook until most of their liquid evaporates, about 3 to 4 more minutes, which concentrates their earthy taste. Toss in the minced garlic and cook it just until fragrant—about a minute—being careful not to burn it. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, add sugar and salt, and let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes to meld all those wonderful flavors together into a rich, saucy masterpiece.
Step 3: Combine Pasta, Sauce, and Cheese
Pour the luscious mushroom-tomato sauce over the ziti in the casserole dish. Stir in half of your grated mozzarella cheese to create pockets of melty goodness throughout. Finally, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella evenly on top to form that gloriously cheesy crust that will brown beautifully in the oven.
Step 4: Bake Until Bubbling and Golden
Place your casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top. This is where the magic happens—the melding of flavors and textures transforms this simple combination into a comforting Italian classic you’ll want to make again and again.
How to Serve Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Mozzarella Recipe
Garnishes
Freshness takes this baked ziti from great to unforgettable. Try sprinkling chopped fresh basil or flat-leaf parsley on top just before serving to brighten every bite and add a lovely pop of color.
Side Dishes
This Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Mozzarella Recipe pairs wonderfully with crisp green salads tossed in lemon vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables like asparagus or broccoli. A side of garlic bread or focaccia is perfect to soak up the savory sauce and cheese.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress? Serve the baked ziti in individual ramekins for a cozy, restaurant-style presentation. Or layer it in clear glass baking dishes so guests can see those irresistible layers of pasta, sauce, and cheese before diving in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers from your Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Mozzarella Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors even deepen overnight, making for a delicious next-day meal.
Freezing
To make your life easier, you can freeze baked ziti before baking. Assemble the dish in a freezer-safe container, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
Reheating
Reheat leftover baked ziti in the oven at 350°F covered with foil until warmed through, about 15 to 20 minutes. This keeps the dish moist and ensures the cheese melts again beautifully without drying out.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While ziti is classic, penne, rigatoni, or even small shells work wonderfully and will hold the sauce just as well.
What mushrooms work best in this Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Mozzarella Recipe?
A mix of cremini, button, and shiitake mushrooms adds fantastic flavor and texture, but feel free to use whatever mushrooms you love or have on hand.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
This baked ziti is perfect for vegetarians, but to make it vegan, simply swap the mozzarella for your favorite plant-based cheese alternative and use olive oil instead of butter.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Yes! You can assemble the entire dish up to a day ahead, cover it tightly, and refrigerate until ready to bake for an easy, stress-free meal.
How can I add extra flavor to the sauce?
Try adding fresh herbs like oregano or basil to the sauce while it simmers, or a splash of red wine for more depth and richness.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Mozzarella Recipe offers the perfect marriage of creamy cheese, hearty mushrooms, and tangy tomato sauce all baked to bubbling perfection. It’s a dish that feels like a treasure from the heart of Italian cooking and one that you will love surprising your family and friends with. Give it a try, and I promise it will feel like a beloved classic in your kitchen before long!
Print
Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Mozzarella Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Mozzarella is a hearty and comforting Italian-inspired casserole featuring tender ziti pasta tossed with a flavorful mushroom tomato sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings, combining earthy sautéed mushrooms with a rich tomato base and creamy cheese, all baked to bubbling perfection.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 package (16 oz.) ziti pasta
Sauce
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 lbs. mixed, sliced mushrooms
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1⁄4 tsp. salt
Cheese
- 3⁄4 cup grated part-skim mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until just al dente. Once cooked, rinse with cold water, drain very well, and transfer the pasta to the prepared casserole dish.
- Cook the mushrooms and sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mixed mushrooms and cook undisturbed for about 7 minutes until they start to brown on one side. Stir and continue cooking for 3 to 4 more minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, sugar, and salt, then simmer for approximately 10 minutes to develop and meld the flavors.
- Combine pasta with sauce and cheese: Pour the mushroom tomato sauce over the pasta in the casserole dish, and stir in 1/2 cup of the grated mozzarella cheese to blend throughout the pasta.
- Bake until bubbly and melted: Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, then bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese has melted and slightly browned.
Notes
- Cooking the mushrooms without stirring allows them to brown nicely, enhancing their flavor.
- Rinsing the pasta after cooking prevents it from overcooking during baking and removes excess starch for a better texture.
- Using part-skim mozzarella helps reduce the fat content while still providing a creamy melt.
- You can add fresh basil or oregano to the sauce for extra herb flavor.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta.
