Grandpa Pete’s Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti is one of the easiest—and most crowd-pleasing—dishes you can make, especially when you start with the right ingredients like Grandpa Pete’s Sunday Sauce and Grandpa Pete’s Homemade Style Pasta. Just a few simple steps come together into a rich, cheesy, comforting meal that feels like it simmered all day. It’s a long-time favorite at office holiday parties, potlucks, and especially Football Sundays, where a warm tray of baked ziti disappears faster than the first kickoff. Easy to prepare, impossible to resist, and always requested—this classic Italian comfort food never disappoints.

Ingredients:

1. 1 lb penne pasta (or ziti or other tubular pasta)
2. 2 jars of Grandpa Pete’s Marinara, Vodka, or Meat-Flavored Sauce
3. 15 oz ricotta cheese
4. 1 egg, beaten
5. ½ cup grated cheese (Romano or Parmesan)*
6. 16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
7. 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
8. Salt & pepper, to taste
9. Nonstick spray or a little olive oil to grease the baking pan

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C) and lightly grease a 9″ × 13″ baking pan.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook until al dente (about 8–10 minutes). Drain well.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, grated cheese, and ¾ of the shredded mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper (and Italian seasoning, if using). Mix thoroughly until smooth.
4. In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta with ¾ of the sauce jars. Mix well so every piece of pasta is coated with sauce.
5. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Add half of the pasta mixture over the sauce. Then, spread half of the ricotta-cheese mixture over the pasta.
6. Repeat with the remaining pasta, then top with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top, then the remaining grated cheese.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the dish is heated through. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving — this helps the sauce settle for cleaner servings.
8. Serve warm, ideally with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete Italian-style meal.

Notes:

*For a vegan-friendly option, use a vegan cheese substitute in place of Parmesan or Romano. If you prefer a lighter pasta or have dietary preferences, this recipe also works with gluten-free penne or ziti.