1-Gather Your Ingredients and Preheat: Getting started with chicken baked ziti is fun and straightforward, especially if you’re a busy parent or working professional. First, preheat your oven to 400°F as noted in the directions. This step ensures everything bakes evenly for that perfect creamy sauce and melted cheese topping.

While the oven heats up, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the 1 lb. ziti pasta until it’s just right, then drain it and set aside 1/2 cup of the pasta water. This little trick helps keep the dish moist and flavorful. Now you’re ready to move on to the cooking part, which ties into Brandi’s style of simple recipes that inspire joy in the kitchen.

2-Cook the Chicken and Build the Flavor: Next, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the 2 lb. cubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts along with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes if you want a bit of spice. For a link to more chicken ideas, check out our easy orange chicken recipe that pairs well with pasta dishes.

Cook the chicken until it’s fully done and drain any extra liquid to keep things from getting too watery. Then, stir in the 32 oz. marinara sauce and that reserved 1/2 cup pasta water, bringing it all to a simmer. This step really brings out the savory notes and sets the base for your creamy sauce.

3-Assemble and Bake: Transfer the chicken and sauce mixture to a large oven-safe glass baking dish. Pour in the cooked ziti pasta, then add 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese and the chiffonade from 1 bunch basil, and mix it all together so everything coats nicely. Top it off with 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup Parmesan cheese for that irresistible melted cheese layer.

Cover the dish with foil remember to spray the foil with nonstick spray to avoid sticking and bake it covered for 20 minutes. After that, remove the foil and broil for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese turns browned and bubbly. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving, and garnish with more basil if you like. This method works great for newlyweds or seniors wanting a comforting meal that doesn’t take all day.