Cheese Crusted Baked Ziti
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The trick to make an already classic pasta dish like baked ziti even better is more cheese. So why not dust each slab on both sides with Parmesan cheese and pan fry for a beautiful golden crunchy crust. Sound good to you? Yep, me too! Here is my Cheese Crusted Baked Ziti!
After eating my Shrimp Saltimbocca the other evening I was in the mood for more Italian!
I use wheat pasta here because the body breaks it down slower and it isn’t such an insulin rush for Dave. Around our house we like to beef up your typical marinara sauce with meat, which basically turns it into a bolognese sauce. A little more heft to the meal, but feel free to just use your own or favorite store bought marinara sauce.
Instead of using a large 13×9″ baking dish I wanted to get some height on this baked ziti and used a meatloaf baking dish. It worked so well and I layered the ziti then cheese and then the remaining ziti. I poured some beaten eggs on top to help everything hold together and more cheese on top! In the oven for 35 minutes and it smelled amazing. But for all good things, patience. I let it cool down and then in the refrigerator overnight so I could slice it and then pan fry the next evening.
Now sure you could just dive in at this point, but if you love the crispy edges of a grilled cheese sandwich or the edges of a pizza crust where that cheese gets all crispy, then follow my lead and slice then dust each side with finely grated Parmesan cheese. A little pan fry and voila!
In reading the instructions this might sound complicated, but it isn’t. Brown sausage meat in your favorite marinara sauce, toss with cooked ziti pasta and layer in a pan with cheeses. Bake, chill and cut into slabs. A nice dusting of Parmesan cheese on each side and a quick pan fry to get the sides crispy and the cheese golden brown.
I like to plate this with some of the reserved bolognese sauce and top with more sauce and a dollop of fresh whipped ricotta cheese. Added crispy cheese goodness to an already wonderful Cheesy Baked Ziti dish.
For more delicious pasta dishes try my Ham and Cheese Pasta Rosettes, Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta, or this Chicken Tortellini Dijon Alfredo. Enjoy!
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Cheese Crusted Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 8 oz  ziti cooked
- 3 cups of marinara sauce separated
- 1 lb hot Italian sausage (or sub ground beef)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 tbsp Italian herbs
- 1/2 lb fresh mozzarella  grated
- 2 medium eggs beaten
- 4 slices of provolone cheese

- 1 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated, separated
- 1 cup ricotta whipped
- parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a meatloaf baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cook ziti pasta per package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat add the oil and sauté the garlic. Add the sausage meat and brown, breaking it up with spoon to crumble. Sprinkle in the herbs, marinara sauce and reserved cooking liquid. Cook for 10 minutes on low. You now have a Bolognese, which is a meat-based sauce (See Note 1).
- In a small bowl whisk the two eggs. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, toss the cooked ziti with 2 cups of bolognese sauce and 1/2 cup of Parmesan. Save remaining bolognese sauce for plating.
- Place half the ziti in a prepared meatloaf baking dish. Add a layer of the mozzarella cheese. Top with the rest of the ziti. Pour the beaten eggs over all and gently tap meatloaf pan on counter to distribute egg and help ziti to settle. Layer 4 slices of provolone on top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake for 35 minutes, cheese should be golden brown.
- Let it cool in the refrigerator, preferably overnight. Using a kitchen knife, slice the baked ziti into 6 slab-sized servings.
- Gently press remaining finely grated parmesan cheese on each side of the the ziti slab. Heat oil in a skillet on medium high and carefully place the cheese encrusted ziti slab into the hot skillet. Cook it on each side, the cheese will start to melt and form a beautiful golden crunchy crust.
- Serve on a plate with remaining bolognese sauce topped with a spoonful of ricotta and fresh chopped Italian parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Now this is just pure evil. Honestly, why must you taunt me with food like this?
haha! Sorry for that John, just doing my job! Lovely job that it is, too! Have fun in the Galápagos Islands! 🙂
I do love baked pasta, and this version looks and sounds amazing, Kevin. Pasta + tomato sauce + sausages + cheese + more cheese = the perfection! Also, I like this idea of getting a delicious crust in a pan!
That crust on the outside is THE best part Ben! 🙂
Two words: Freaking. GENIUS!
You not only made me smile, but you made my day, thanks Jennifer. 🙂
You are killing it! Seems I can’t visit your site anymore without bringing along a napkin for the drool that will undoubtedly show up! You know – my mom taught me that the best meatballs were, in fact, the cheesiest meatballs. So you will make my Italian mama very happy with this one! Bravo!
Oh thanks so much Annie. With comments like that it gives me even more reason to do better! A big hello to you, Dom and your Italian mama. 🙂
Seriously. KEVIN. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?! I saw the first picture and the title and I thought, “he did WHAT now?!” OMG. I die. Like, in the very best way humanly possible. This is straight up HEAVENLY status, buddy. Cheese crusted baked ziti!? I can’t even form WORDS… and this is coming from a chatty Cathy. Genius. Kevin. GENIUS!!!! Pinned!
P.s. I love that you add meat to your marinara sauce! I bow down to your greatness.
Oh you are making me smile BIG time here Chey! Thanks so much. This is definitely cheese-tastic!
The crispy edges really are the best! This looks awesome, Kevin (and I don’t know about you but I’ve been craving pasta non-stop)!
Thanks Brian and of course this can be made meat free! 🙂
Oh man, you know I’m always in the mood for Italian…and this is one unique idea! I love the crispy edges of grilled cheese sandwiches, and you’ve invented a dish based on this concept? Sign me up for a slice…or a slab…or, heck, just pass me the whole loaf pan, please! 🙂
Thanks Dave. It is like the crispy edges of a grilled cheese sammy and with four different cheeses you can’t go wrong! The tender pasta and meat sauce is perfect here all encased in a Parm crust. 😉
Never heard of ziti pasta, and never used provolone cheese too! This looks easy and so delicious Kevin! Can I use ground beef instead of sausages?
Oh certainly you can Farida. Let me know what you think. 🙂