Ziti not in your pantry? No big deal—it happens to all of us. We’ve rounded up the best substitutes, and honestly, they’re so good you might just ditch ziti for good. We know the drill—you’re halfway through making baked pasta, and zap, no ziti. Been there, cooked that.
Short pasta shapes save the day. Think rigatoni, penne, or even rotini. They hold sauce like a champ and bake beautifully. Longer options, like spaghetti and fettuccine, can be fun twists too.
We’ve tested swaps that work without missing a beat. Sauce still clings, cheese still melts, and dinner’s still on point. Grab whatever you’ve got; we’ve got you covered. Perfect pasta doesn’t play favorites!
5 Best Substitutes for Ziti Pasta
Here are our top 5 picks for substitutes that will work just as well as ziti:
1 – Penne
We kind of think penne is the twin sibling of ziti. It’s tubular, short, and holds sauce like a pro. Penne’s ridges grab every sauce drop. Smooth penne makes sauces slide smoothly.
Same cook time as ziti. Swap ziti with penne in a 1:1 ratio. Easy sub, no adjustments needed. Works for baked dishes or stovetop recipes.
Penne fits chunky sauces well. Those ridges cling like glue to every bite of cheesy or meaty layers. Bonus? The hollow center holds extra sauce. We like that it’s always available, making it practical for when a recipe calls for a ziti stand-in.
2 – Rigatoni
Rigatoni is like ziti’s sturdier cousin. Its wider tube shape grabs thick sauces easily. Those ridges secure every bit of flavor. It’s slightly bulkier than ziti, giving a heartier bite.
We swap it in a 1:1 ratio, no fuss. Bake it or toss it, rigatoni works well in any recipe. It holds layers of cheese and sauce beautifully.
The hollow center traps sauces for extra taste. Rigatoni shines in baked dishes where texture matters. It’s easy to find and simple to cook. Slightly firmer than ziti, it stands up well to hearty sauces and chunky ingredients.
3 – Elbow Macaroni
Elbow macaroni works like a charm. It’s small, curved, and reliable for saucy dishes. The shape traps sauce in every curve. It’s smooth, so sauces coat easily.
You can sub it in equal amounts. Works great for baked recipes and stovetop meals. It cooks faster than ziti, saving time.
The size makes it versatile. It blends well with veggies and cheese. It holds its structure, even with heavy sauces.
Elbow macaroni is always easy to find. Its compact size fits in any dish. A solid pick for quick ziti swaps.
4 – Mostaccioli
We think mostaccioli is like penne’s cool cousin. It’s smooth, tubular, and slightly larger. The smooth surface makes sauces slide beautifully. It’s also a solid pick for baked pasta.
Mostaccioli is similar in size to ziti. Use it in a 1:1 ratio for recipes. It holds up well with chunky sauces and melted layers of cheese.
The middle is perfect for trapping sauce. Its small difference in texture adds variety. It’s easy to cook and widely available. Works great for both creamy and tomato-based dishes.
5 – Fusilli
Fusilli shakes things up with its twisted shape. Those spirals grab sauce in ways straight pasta can’t. It holds sauce better than most substitutes. We notice its curves do wonders for chunky, veggie-packed sauces.
Swap ziti with fusilli in a 1:1 ratio. It cooks evenly and stays firm. The shape is slightly smaller but works fine in baked dishes. Fusilli’s texture pairs well with creamy or tomato sauces. It’s common, so it’s easy to find in most stores.
Fusilli adds more texture in every bite. The corkscrew design keeps flavors sticking. It works well for quick stovetop meals, too.
Andrew Gray is a seasoned food writer and blogger with a wealth of experience in the restaurant and catering industries. With a passion for all things delicious, Andrew has honed his culinary expertise through his work as a personal chef and caterer.
His love for food led him to venture into food writing, where he has contributed to various online publications, sharing his knowledge and insights on the culinary world. As the proud owner of CooksCrafter.com, Andrew covers a wide range of topics, including recipes, restaurant reviews, product recommendations, and culinary tips.
Through his website, he aims to inspire and educate fellow food enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive resource for all things food-related.