Easy Baked No-Boil Ziti: A Budget-Friendly Family Favorite

When I first stumbled upon the idea of no-boil pasta I wasn’t sure it would come out good. I gave it my infamous side-eye of disbelief but I’m always up for trying recipes that require minimal prep and ingredients so I gave it a try. I’m glad I did because it has become a staple in our meal-planning rotation. Not only is it incredibly simple to prepare (no boiling required!), but it’s also perfect for keeping your grocery budget in check. So, if you’re looking for a delicious, hassle-free dinner that the whole family will love without having to watch pots on the stove, then you’ve hit the jackpot with this Baked No-Boil Ziti recipe.

Why No-Boil Ziti is a Game Changer

First off, skipping the boil means one less pot to wash – and who isn’t for that? Plus, baking the pasta directly in the sauce lets it absorb all the flavors beautifully, giving you a rich and creamy dish that feels more indulgent than the cost suggests. This method not only simplifies the cooking process but also enhances the texture and taste of your final dish—making every bite satisfyingly delicious.

Ingredients: Simple and Cost-Effective

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Ziti Pasta: Since we’re not boiling first, regular ziti works perfectly and soaks up the sauce for maximum flavor.
• Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite jarred sauce or make your own if you’re up for it. This is a great way to use up any vegetables you have on hand by blending them into the sauce! I like the Ragu Simple Ingredient sauce because it doesn’t have added sugar.
• Mozzarella Cheese: For that gooey, melty goodness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Brings a sharp, salty flavor that balances the sweetness of the marinara.
• Cottage Cheese: A secret ingredient to add creaminess without the cost of ricotta. I love using cottage cheese with chives already in it.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper for easy, flavorful additions.

How to Make Baked No-Boil Ziti

1. Prep Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, mix the marinara sauce with an equal part of water (this helps cook the pasta). Stir in garlic powder and Italian seasoning for an extra flavor kick.
2. Layer It Up: In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of your sauce mixture. Add half of your uncooked ziti, dollop spoonfuls of cottage cheese, and half of your shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat with another layer of sauce, the rest of the ziti, and the remaining cheeses.
3. Cover and Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 55 minutes. Then remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C), and bake for an additional 10 minutes to get the cheese bubbly and slightly golden.
4. Rest and Serve: Let the dish sit for about 10 minutes after baking. This rest period allows everything to set nicely, making it easier to serve.

Substitutions and Tips

• Cheese Variations: Feel free to swap out the cheeses based on what’s on sale or what you already have in your fridge. For example, swapping in some shredded provolone can add a nice smoky flavor.
• Add Veggies: Bulk up your ziti and add nutrients without adding much cost by mixing in frozen spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
• Meat Option: For meat lovers, adding ground beef or sausage can make this meal even heartier. Kielbasa works great plus, it’s already cooked so just slice and add to baking dish. Look for sales or bulk buy discounts and freeze what you don’t use for later.

Why This Recipe Rocks for Your Budget

This Baked No-Boil Ziti is a powerhouse of savings. Using pantry staples like dried pasta and jarred sauces helps keep costs down, while the flexibility to incorporate leftovers or whatever cheeses are on sale allows you to customize based on what’s cheapest. By skipping the meat and opting for a vegetarian version, you’re also reducing the cost per serving significantly.

Recipe Card

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ziti pasta, uncooked
• 2 jars (24 oz each) marinara sauce
• 1 jar (24 oz) water (use marinara jar to measure)
• 2 cup cottage cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix the marinara sauce with water, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of sauce. Layer half of the uncooked ziti, spoonfuls of cottage cheese, and half the mozzarella and Parmesan.
4. Repeat with remaining pasta, and cheese, and cover with the remaining sauce.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 55 minutes. Remove foil, increase heat to 400°F (200°C), and bake for another 10 minutes.
6. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Baked No-Boil Ziti not only saves you time and cleanup, but it’s also a testament to how budget-friendly meals can still be incredibly satisfying and delicious. Give it a try for your next family dinner, and watch how this simple dish becomes a regular in your meal rotation. Enjoy!

Want to Discover More Ways to Save Money?

Around here we are all about saving money and living life fully. This recipe proves you can live on a budget and still eat delicious, flavorful meals. This blog is dedicated to budgets and sharing ways I save money and live fully. Check out how I save big on the post: Shop Your Pantry: Saving Big on Groceries and What We Ate This Week. If you are new to budgeting or looking to give your budget a refresh check out the post on: Paycheck-Based Budgeting: A Guide to Smarter Budgeting and also Sinking Funds: Learning from Budgeting Mistakes and Improving Financial Resilience where I share a Budgeting Mistake and how I learned from it.