Love Ziti, but want something a little different? Then you have to try this Creamy Baked Ziti Recipe!
We really love regular baked Ziti, but, sometimes it gets boring to have the same meal over and over again. So, you’ve got to switch it up a little bit and this Creamy Baked Ziti recipe is the perfect way to do just that.
By adding just 2 surprising ingredients, this plain, old “regular” baked Ziti turns into a whole new tasting experience that your family will love.
And while you can certainly make this recipe any night of the week, it’s also great for a special family night, a holiday meal or even to bring along to a potluck!
Just add a fresh, garden salad and a loaf of crusty, Italian bread to the side and you’ve got the perfect meal for any occasion.
No matter where you serve it, everyone is going to love this meal!
So, what are you waiting for?
Add this Creamy Baked Ziti Recipe to your meal planner for the week and give it a try, you’re going to love it!
Here’s the recipe:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- Salt, as desired
- Pepper, as desired
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasonings
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1-28 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1-28 ounce can crushed tomatoes with basil
- 1 lb. Ziti
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup ranch salad dressing
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Pour the olive oil into a big pot and heat it up. Add the ground beef and cook until it’s brown.
Add in the seasonings and tomatoes. Stir it all together and cook for about half an hour.
Mix together the heavy cream and ranch salad dressing and pour it into the sauce. Stir to combine.
Prepare the ziti as directed on the packaging. Drain.
Pour the ziti into a pretty casserole dish and add some mozzarella cheese. Add the sauce and stir to combine.
Sprinkle the top with remaining mozzarella cheese and bake until golden brown.
Creamy Baked Ziti Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- Salt, as desired
- Pepper, as desired
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasonings
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes with basil
- 1 lb. Ziti
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup ranch salad dressing
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot on medium temperature. Add ground beef. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, as desired. Add Italian seasonings and garlic powder. Continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes into the pot with the browned ground beef. Stir to combine. Cook the sauce until boiling. Turn the temperature down to medium low and allow the sauce to simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Ziti pasta as directed on the packaging. Drain.
- In a separate dish, combine the heavy cream and ranch salad dressing. Slowly pour the cream mixture into the sauce, stirring constantly. Turn the temperature on the sauce back up to medium and stir occasionally until boiling.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pour the Ziti into a 9” x 13” casserole dish. Add 1 -1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese. Pour the sauce over the Ziti and cheese. Stir to combine. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded mozzarella over the top.
- Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
- Serve hot with warm, crusty Italian bread.
- Homemade Lasagna Recipe
- Cheese Ravioli Lasagna AKA Cheater Lasagna
- Spaghetti and Spicy Meat Sauce Recipe
Have an Awesome Day!
~Vanessa

Vanessa Hamlin is the owner and founder of Food Life Design and VLHamlinDesign. With her passion for frugal living and homesteading, Vanessa loves to write about easy recipes, making money, gardening, home remedies and everything else that a good life entails! When she’s not writing for Food Life Design or creating products for VLHamlinDesign, you’ll find Vanessa reading, drawing, gardening, cooking or spending time with her family.
Free Printable Dinner Planner for August 2019 with Menu + Recipes - Food Life Design
Monday 29th of July 2019
[…] Creamy Baked Ziti […]
7 Easy Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner - Food Life Design
Saturday 11th of May 2019
[…] Click here for directions… […]
How to Can Crushed Tomatoes At Home - Food Life Design
Saturday 11th of May 2019
[…] use these crushed tomatoes for hamburger soup, calzones, spaghetti sauce, (for use on spaghetti, Baked Ziti, Lasagna) pizza sauce, macaroni and tomatoes and so much more! Anything you would use a […]
Dinner Menu for the Week #15 - Food Life Design
Sunday 4th of November 2018
[…] Sunday – Creamy Baked Ziti […]
Dinner Menu Ideas for the Week of 7/23/18 - Food Life Design
Monday 23rd of July 2018
[…] Thursday – Baked Ziti […]