Dump-and-Bake 3-Cheese Baked Ziti

Name: Dump-and-Bake 3-Cheese Baked Ziti
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 16 ounce package uncooked ziti pasta; 1 24 ounce jar marinara sauce; 3 cups water; 16 ounces 2 cups cottage cheese; 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder; Pinch of pepper; 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

Lasted edited October 3, 2018. Originally published September 15, 2017 by Blair

Jump to Recipe

A foolproof easy dinner all made in one dish, you don't even need to boil the pasta!

Total Time: 55 minutes

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

You don’t even have to boil the pasta for this quick and easy Dump-and-Bake 3-Cheese Baked Ziti! Just stir all of the uncooked ingredients together in the dish, cover it with foil, and pop it in the oven. Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot easier!

I’m raising a family of pasta lovers! I swear, my husband and my 3 boys could eat some variety of spaghetti, pesto rotelle, or fettuccini Alfredo every single night of the week. But you know what? Baked Ziti has never been on my go-to list…until now.

I just always assumed that Baked Ziti was kind of like lasagna — a lot of prep work, multiple steps involved, and a ton of dirty dishes at the end. WRONG!

At least, not with my dump-and-bake version!

When I decided that I wanted to create a quick-prep twist on the classic 3-Cheese Baked Ziti, I knew that I was stepping out of my comfort zone.

I wasn’t sure how the cheese mixture would set up in the oven as the pasta baked in the marinara sauce, and I was fully prepared to trash the final product and try again if it wasn’t an initial success.

Easy Dump and Bake Dinners

I’m happy to report, however, that I have apparently become a Dump-and-Bake Dinner Pro. Is that a “thing?” Because if it’s a “thing,” then I’m definitely one of them.

I just can’t get enough of these ultra-easy meals that cook in one dish without any pre-boiling the pasta, washing pots and pans, or slaving over a hot stove. You might just call me lazy? Or busy? Yes and yes!

This hearty, soul-satisfying vegetarian one-dish meal comes together in a matter of minutes and my job is done! It’s delicious served with a green salad and some garlic bread if you have the time or desire, but it’s certainly not necessary.

This Dump-and-Bake 3-Cheese Baked Ziti is a new way to prepare an old favorite — and there’s no going back to the original once you’ve had a taste!

Cooking Just for Two?

You can cut all of the ingredients in half and prepare one smaller casserole. Just bake in an 8-inch square pan. The cooking instructions remain the same.

Extra Tips For Making Baked Ziti

Don’t have mozzarella? Use cheddar instead or another good melting cheese
Try adding red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
Store this baked ziti in the fridge for a few days it makes great leftovers
Feel free to add extra fresh or dried herbs such as basil or parsley
You could also try adding cooked sausage, chicken or bacon

More Pasta Recipes You Might Like;

Did you try this recipe? Don’t forget to rate it and leave me a comment below! You can follow me on Facebook, on Instagram, on Pinterest, and on Twitter!

5 from 4 votes