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No-Boil “Baked” Ziti

No-boil 'baked' ziti made in an Anyday square dish, featuring layers of pasta, marinara sauce, and melted cheese. This easy microwave recipe simplifies dinner prep, delivering a comforting, cheesy dish that's perfect for busy weeknights.
PT5M PT12M

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

12-14 mins
3 reviews

Free Time

to do some light kitchen karaoke

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No-Boil “Baked” Ziti

3 reviews

For our version of this crowd-pleasing favorite, you can forget about the par-boiled noodle step — just layer everything in an Anyday dish, and in less than 15 minutes, you'll have a delicious meal ready to serve.

What makes Anyday special is how it uses the microwave's power to cook the pasta directly in the sauce. This means quicker meals and fewer dishes to wash. Spread a layer of ricotta on top of the uncooked pasta — as it cooks, it will create creamy pockets of ricotta throughout. creating creamy pockets of ricotta throughout. This method infuses the pasta with rich, savory flavors, and results in an easy cleanup, letting you enjoy dinner without the hassle.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

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Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

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To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

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Dish

The Small Square Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (100g) ziti or rigatoni pasta
  • ¾ cup (180ml) marinara sauce
  • ½ cups (120ml) water
  • ⅛ teaspoon red chili flakes, optional
  • ½ cup (100g) part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
  • A pinch of black pepper
  • ½ cup (40g) shredded mozzarella cheese

Preparation

  1. Add the pasta, tomato sauce, water, and chili flakes to the Square dish and stir to combine.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well incorporated. Spread or dollop the ricotta over the pasta, then cover with lid (knob lifted) Note: the ricotta will combine with the sauce as it cooks!
  3. Cook in the microwave Power Level 9
    ✕

    Certain foods cook best in the microwave at lower power levels. 

    [[video-power]]

    Different microwaves have different settings. See your microwave manual (or look it up online) to learn how to change your microwave’s power level.

    For many microwaves: enter the cook time, press the “Power” (or “Power Level”) button, and select a number between 1-10. Other microwaves may require selecting the Power Level first, and then entering the cook time.

    Microwaves list power levels in different ways. Here’s a guide to help you adjust:

    PL 10 = 100% = High (default)

    PL 9 = 90% = High

    PL 8 = 80% = Med-High

    PL 7 = 70% = Med-High

    PL 6 = 60% = Medium

    PL 5 = 50% = Medium

    PL 4 = 40% = Med-Low

    PL 3 = 30% = Med-Low

    PL 2 = 20% = Low

    PL 1 = 10% = Low

    You will know if the power level has been successfully changed if you hear periodic changes in the microwave’s tone after it begins cooking.

     for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked and the liquids have formed a thick, creamy sauce.
  4. Top with the mozzarella cheese and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese melts.

Suggestions

  • Sausage ziti: Stir in Italian sausage pieces, then follow the cook times provided for a hearty, meaty twist.
  • Spinach ziti: Mix fresh or frozen spinach into the pasta before cooking for a nutritious and flavorful upgrade.
  • Crispy ziti: Sprinkle crispy onions or toasted breadcrumbs on top of the ziti before serving for an extra crunch and a delightful contrast to the creamy sauce.
  • Greek-style ziti: Add sliced kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, and crumbled feta cheese instead of ricotta for a Mediterranean-inspired dish.
  • Discover more pasta recipes by exploring our collection here!

Recipe Notes

  • Adding the ricotta on top of the pasta before cooking will create a creamy sauce with delightful pockets of ricotta throughout.
  • For a toasted topping, transfer the baked ziti to a preheated 500°F oven and cook uncovered until the mozzarella is bubbly and golden brown.
  • The casserole will develop a rich, flavorful sauce that tastes even better the next day when reheated.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

All You Need to Know About Making Baked Ziti in the Microwave

What is baked ziti?

Baked ziti is a comforting Italian-American casserole made with pasta, tomato sauce, and a blend of cheeses. It’s baked until bubbly and golden, creating a deliciously creamy and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a hearty meal. Our microwave version makes the whole process much easier since you don’t need to pre-cook the pasta!

How come I don't have to pre-cook the pasta?

You don’t have to pre-cook the pasta for our recipe because the pasta cooks directly cooks directly in the sauce in the microwave The sauce provides the necessary moisture for the pasta to cook and absorb flavor, resulting in a flavorful, cohesive dish. Using an Anyday dish helps ensure even cooking and prevents the pasta from becoming mushy, so you get perfectly al dente pasta without any extra prep work.

Can I use other pasta shapes if rigatoni or ziti is unavailable?

Yes, you can swap out rigatoni or ziti for other pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or casarecce. Anyday dishes are versatile and accommodate various pasta shapes while ensuring even cooking and minimal cleanup.

Can I use other cheese instead of ricotta?

Certainly! You can substitute ricotta with cottage cheese, mascarpone, or a blend of mozzarella and parmesan. Experiment with different cheeses to find your perfect flavor combination. Using an Anyday dish helps melt the cheeses beautifully, giving you a deliciously creamy result.

Can I prepare ziti in advance?

Absolutely! You can prepare no-boil baked ziti ahead of time and reheat it later. Simply follow the recipe, let it cool, then cover it with the Anyday lid and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days before reheating.

How should I store and reheat ziti?

Allow the ziti to cool completely, cover it with the lid, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat it in the microwave using your Anyday dish. For longer storage, you can freeze directly in the Anyday dish for up to 3 months.

What's the best way to reheat leftover baked ziti?

To reheat leftover ziti, simply place a serving in an Anyday dish and sprinkle a little water on top to keep it moist. Cover it with the lid and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes per serving, or until heated through. Stir halfway through for even heating. If reheating from frozen, follow the reheating instructions in our blog: How to Reheat Frozen Food.

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