I’ve always been a huge fan of Maggiano’s, and their Maggianos Taylor Street Baked Ziti is one of my absolute favorites.

After ordering it more times than I can count, I decided it was time to recreate that magic in my own kitchen.

I was so pleased with how this copycat recipe turned out; it has all the rich, meaty flavor and cheesy goodness of the original.

Making it at home is surprisingly simple, and now I can satisfy my craving for this classic comfort food whenever it strikes. This dish has quickly become a staple for my family dinners.

Ingredients

To capture that authentic restaurant flavor, it’s important to use quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious baked ziti.

8 oz Ziti Noodles: The star of the show; their tube shape is perfect for holding onto the rich sauce.
8 oz Italian Sausage: Use ground Italian sausage for the best flavor. The fennel and herbs are key to the signature taste.
16 oz Tomato Sauce: A good quality canned tomato sauce provides a great base. Look for one that’s smooth and not overly acidic.
1 tsp Dried Oregano: This herb adds a classic, earthy Italian aroma and flavor that complements the sausage.
1/2 tbsp Minced Garlic: Freshly minced garlic offers a much better flavor than garlic powder. I always keep a jar of minced garlic in the fridge for convenience.
2/3 cup Shredded Mozzarella: For the best melt and those beautiful brown spots, shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that can affect its texture.
1 tbsp Olive Oil: Used for frying the sausage, it adds a touch of fruity richness to the start of your sauce.

Note: These ingredient quantities will make enough for 2 generous servings.

Variations

One of the best things about cooking at home is tailoring a recipe to your own tastes. Here are a few variations you can try.

Change the Meat: If Italian sausage isn’t your thing, you can easily substitute it with ground beef, ground turkey, or even a plant-based crumble for a vegetarian version.
Add Some Veggies: Feel free to bulk up the sauce with finely diced onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms. Sauté them with the sausage for extra flavor and nutrients.
Make it Creamy: For a richer sauce, stir in a quarter cup of heavy cream or a few spoonfuls of ricotta cheese into the meat sauce before mixing it with the pasta.
Spice it Up: If you like a little heat, use hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce as it simmers.

Cooking Time

This recipe comes together quickly, making it a great option for a weeknight meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Equipment You Need

You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this recipe, just some basic kitchen tools.

Oven-Safe Baking Dish: A 9-inch round ceramic or glass dish is perfect for baking and serving.
Large Pot: You’ll need this to boil the ziti noodles according to the package directions.
Skillet: A large skillet is necessary for browning the sausage and simmering the sauce.
Colander: For draining the cooked pasta before mixing it with the sauce.

How to Make Maggiano’s Taylor Street Baked Ziti?

This dish is all about simple steps and big flavors. By cooking the components separately and then bringing them together under the broiler, you get that perfect restaurant-style finish without a long baking time. It’s a straightforward process of making a quick meat sauce, cooking pasta, and then melting a cheesy topping.

Prepare the Meat Sauce

First, focus on creating the savory heart of the dish. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. If you’re using cased sausage, remove the meat from the casings. Add the ground Italian sausage to the hot skillet and cook until it’s almost completely browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. This should take about 5 minutes. Then, add the tomato sauce, dried oregano, and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir everything together and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Cook the Pasta and Combine

While your sauce is simmering, it’s the perfect time to cook your pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. You want it to have a slight bite, as it will continue to cook a little under the broiler. Once cooked, drain the pasta well. In your oven-safe baking dish, combine the cooked ziti with the meat sauce, stirring gently to ensure all the noodles are evenly coated.

Broil to Perfection

Now for the final, crucial step that gives this ziti its signature look. Spread the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta and sauce mixture. Set your oven rack so it’s close to the broiler, but not directly underneath it. Turn the broiler on high and place the dish in the oven. Broil for just 1-2 minutes, watching it very carefully. You’re looking for the cheese to become bubbly with beautiful brown spots. As soon as it looks perfect, pull it out to prevent burning.

Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better

Through a bit of trial and error, I’ve found a few little things that take this recipe from good to great.

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: I always pull my pasta from the water a minute before the package says it’s done. This prevents it from becoming mushy after it’s mixed with the hot sauce and broiled.
Season the Pasta Water: I generously salt my pasta water before boiling. It’s the only chance you get to season the noodles themselves, and it makes a noticeable difference in the final taste.
Let the Sauce Simmer: Don’t rush the sauce. Even an extra 5 minutes of simmering time helps the flavors of the sausage, garlic, and oregano really deepen and infuse the tomato sauce.
Watch the Broiler Like a Hawk: I learned this the hard way. Broilers work incredibly fast, and the line between perfectly browned cheese and a burnt mess is a matter of seconds. I never walk away from the oven when something is broiling.

How to Serve Maggiano’s Taylor Street Baked Ziti?

This hearty pasta dish is a meal in itself, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides. I love serving it straight from the baking dish at the table for a rustic, family-style feel. The bubbling, browned cheese on top is the main visual attraction.

A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a fresh contrast to the rich pasta. You also can’t go wrong with a side of warm, crusty garlic bread for sopping up any extra sauce. For a final touch, a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or basil over the top adds a nice pop of color and freshness.

Nutritional Information

Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown for one serving of this baked ziti.

Calories: 889 kcal
Protein: 38.1 g
Carbohydrates: 94.8 g
Fat: 37.3 g

Make Ahead and Storage

This recipe is great for planning ahead, whether you’re meal-prepping or need to store leftovers.

Make Ahead:
You can assemble the entire dish ahead of time, right up to the broiling step. Just cover the dish and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to eat, you may need to bake it for 10-15 minutes at 375°F to heat it through before broiling the top.

Storage and Reheating:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions, but for the best results, place the ziti in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F until warmed through.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

There are so many reasons to add this copycat recipe to your dinner rotation.

Incredibly Fast: From start to finish, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on the table in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses common pantry staples, so you can whip it up without a special trip to the grocery store.
Amazing Flavor: The combination of savory Italian sausage, rich tomato sauce, and perfectly melted mozzarella is pure comfort food perfection.
Looks Impressive: The beautifully browned, bubbly cheese topping from the broiler makes this simple dish look like it came from a professional kitchen.