Perfect Christmas Baked Ziti — The Italian Christmas Classic

Baked ziti is the Italian-American Christmas tradition. Made ahead. Feeds a crowd. Affordable. The right version is layered, cheesy, and the comfort food everyone secretly wants more of.

Why baked ziti for Christmas

The case:

• Make-ahead 24 hours
• Feeds 8-12 people
• Inexpensive
• Italian Christmas tradition
• A specific specific specific universally loved

The classic recipe

Ingredients (serves 8-10)

• 1 lb ziti or penne pasta
• 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or hot; casings removed)
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (28-oz) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt; pepper
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1 lb shredded mozzarella
• Fresh basil

Method

1. Preheat oven to 375°F
2. Cook pasta to al dente (just under package directions); drain
3. In a large skillet, brown sausage; add onion + garlic
4. Add crushed tomatoes + Italian seasoning + sugar + salt + pepper
5. Simmer 20 minutes
6. In a bowl, mix ricotta + eggs + Parmigiano + half mozzarella
7. Mix pasta with half the sauce
8. Layer in 9x13 dish: pasta + sauce, ricotta mixture, more pasta + sauce, remaining mozzarella
9. Bake 30-40 minutes until bubbly and golden
10. Rest 10 minutes; garnish with fresh basil

Variations

Vegetarian (skip meat)

• Replace sausage with mushrooms + zucchini

Spicy

• Use hot Italian sausage
• Add red pepper flakes

Four-cheese

• Add provolone and fontina to the mix

Stuffed shells variation

• Use jumbo shells instead of ziti
• Stuff with ricotta mixture
• Same sauce and method

Make-ahead

• Assemble 24 hours ahead
• Refrigerate covered
• Add 10 minutes to bake time from cold

What NOT to do

• Don't overcook pasta (gets mushy)
• Don't skip the sausage browning
• Don't forget the Parmigiano (the flavor)
• Don't bake covered (no crust)

Cross-references

For perfect Christmas lasagna — adjacent.

For Christmas Italian feast — adjacent.

For Christmas dinner ideas — broader.

For Christmas potluck guide — adjacent.

Perfect Christmas baked ziti is the Italian-American comfort classic. Make-ahead. Feeds a crowd. Layered cheese and sauce. The Christmas tradition that proves elegant comes in many forms.