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Baked Ziti with Rao's Marinara from Costco

Rao's Homemade Marinara from Costco makes the best baked ziti — rich, slow-cooked tomato flavor in every bite, topped with a golden layer of mozzarella that pulls apart in long, satisfying strings.

Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
40 min
Servings
8
Cost / Serving
$3.00

Quick Answer

Cook ziti two minutes shy of al dente (it finishes in the oven), layer with Rao's marinara, ricotta, and mozzarella in a 9x13 pan, and bake at 375°F until bubbling and golden — about 30 minutes. Eight servings; total 60 minutes.

Baked ziti is one of those dishes that's almost impossible to mess up when you start with a great sauce. Rao's Homemade Marinara is the best jarred sauce you can buy, and Costco sells it at the best price. This recipe layers ziti, ricotta, mozzarella, and Rao's for a baked pasta that tastes like it came from a neighborhood Italian restaurant. It feeds eight, freezes beautifully, and tastes better reheated the next day.

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook ziti in salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.

  2. 2

    In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, 1 cup mozzarella, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

  3. 3

    Spread ½ cup Rao's marinara across the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.

  4. 4

    Toss the drained pasta with remaining Rao's marinara in a large bowl.

  5. 5

    Spread half the pasta in the baking dish. Dollop the entire ricotta mixture over the top. Add remaining pasta, then top with remaining 2 cups mozzarella and all the Parmesan.

  6. 6

    Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 more minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.

  7. 7

    Rest for 10 minutes before cutting. Garnish with fresh basil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Rao's Marinara so much better than other jarred sauces?+
Rao's uses high-quality Italian tomatoes, no added sugar, and a higher ratio of olive oil than most jarred sauces. The result is a sauce with a natural sweetness, complex depth, and a texture that's closer to homemade than any other brand consistently achieves.
Can I add meat to this baked ziti?+
Yes. Brown 1 lb of ground beef or Italian sausage before assembling, drain the fat, and stir it into the marinara before layering. It adds heartiness without changing the rest of the recipe.
Can baked ziti be frozen?+
Yes — one of the best dishes to freeze. Assemble without baking, wrap tightly in two layers of foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen covered at 375°F for 1 hour, then uncover for 15 minutes.
What's the best pasta shape for baked ziti if I can't find ziti?+
Penne is the closest substitute and works equally well. Rigatoni also works great — its larger tubes hold even more sauce. Avoid very small or very large shapes.

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