Lazy Cream Cheese Sun‑Dried Tomato Ziti

There’s something deeply comforting about a pan of baked pasta, especially when it comes together with just a few pantry and refrigerator staples. This “lazy” ziti is the kind of dish you can stir together for holiday prep, a church supper, or a weeknight when everyone’s hungry and time is short. The cream cheese melts into a velvety sauce, while the sun‑dried tomatoes add a savory depth that makes the whole casserole taste far more fussed‑over than it really is.

Serve it with a crisp green salad, buttery green beans, or roasted broccoli to balance the richness. A basket of warm garlic bread or toasted Italian bread is perfect for sopping up the creamy sauce, and if you’re setting it out for company, it pairs beautifully with roast turkey, baked ham, or even a platter of meatballs.

Ingredients

Directions

1. Preheat oven – Heat to 375°F. Lightly grease a rectangular glass baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook ziti until just barely al dente. Drain.
2. Mix pasta – In a large bowl, stir together hot ziti, marinara sauce, sun‑dried tomatoes, and cubed cream cheese until evenly coated. (It’s fine if the cream cheese isn’t fully melted yet—it will finish in the oven.)
3. Assemble – Spoon mixture into the prepared dish and spread evenly.
4. Bake – Cook uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until hot, bubbly around the edges, and the cream cheese has melted into the sauce.
5. Rest & serve – Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

✨ Simple, hearty, and cozy—this ziti is the kind of dish that feels like home on a busy night or at a holiday table.