My sister shared this vibrant 4 ingredient dinner with me and it brings so much festive color to the dinner table

This oven baked 4-ingredient green bean and bacon ziti is the kind of weeknight shortcut my sister loves to send my way. It’s vibrant and a little festive looking—bright green beans, rosy bacon, and golden-topped pasta in a creamy sauce—all from just a handful of supermarket staples. While baked ziti is rooted in Italian-American cooking, this version leans unapologetically into convenience: jarred Alfredo sauce stands in for a from-scratch béchamel, and frozen green beans keep their color and snap in the oven. It’s a practical, no-fuss casserole that still feels special when you set it in the middle of the table.

Serve this green bean and bacon ziti straight from the baking dish with a simple leafy green salad dressed in a bright vinaigrette to balance the richness. Warm crusty bread or garlic toast is perfect for swiping up the creamy sauce. A crisp white wine such as Pinot Grigio or an ice-cold sparkling water with lemon works nicely alongside. If you’d like to round out the meal further, add a small bowl of marinated olives or sliced fresh tomatoes with salt and olive oil for extra color and freshness.

Servings: 4

8 ounces dried ziti pasta

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish (about 8x8 inches or similar) and set aside.

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook until just shy of al dente, 1–2 minutes less than the package directions. In the last 3 minutes of the pasta’s cooking time, add the frozen green beans to the same pot. When the pasta is just tender, drain the pasta and green beans together and return them to the pot.

While the pasta water is heating or the pasta is cooking, place the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is browned and crisp and the fat has rendered, about 8–10 minutes. Transfer the crispy bacon pieces to a paper towel–lined plate, reserving 1–2 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the skillet (or in a heatproof bowl).

Pour the jarred Alfredo sauce into the warm pot with the drained ziti and green beans. Add the reserved bacon fat for extra flavor and creaminess, then stir gently until everything is evenly coated. Fold in most of the crispy bacon, reserving a small handful for topping.

Transfer the creamy ziti, green bean, and bacon mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the reserved bacon evenly over the top so you get visible, crisp pieces after baking—this adds both texture and that festive, colorful look.

Bake, uncovered, for 18–22 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the top has a light golden tint. If your oven runs cool and the top isn’t coloring, you can move the dish to the upper third of the oven for the last few minutes.

Remove from the oven and let the baked ziti rest for about 5 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly and the pieces hold together when scooped. Serve hot, making sure each portion gets a mix of pasta, bright green beans, and plenty of crispy bacon from the top.

For a slightly lighter version, you can use a light Alfredo sauce or replace 1/2 cup of the sauce with chicken broth; the casserole will still be creamy but a bit less rich. If you prefer fresh green beans, trim and cut them into bite-size pieces, then blanch them in boiling water for 2–3 minutes before adding to the pasta so they keep that bright color and slight crunch. Turkey bacon works if you’re avoiding pork, though you may want to add a teaspoon of olive oil to the skillet to help it crisp. To make the dish feel even more festive, sprinkle a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley or basil over the top after baking for an extra pop of green without adding to the core ingredient list. You can also assemble the dish a few hours ahead, refrigerate it covered, then bake it straight from the fridge, adding 5–10 extra minutes to the baking time until it’s hot and bubbling.