**Baked Ziti** {8.23.2023}

August 23, 2023 / 1 Comment

Hey friends!! Today, I’m sharing an easy and delicious recipe. This classic baked ziti is noodles, lots of cheese, and a hearty meat sauce combination. A family favorite recipe that’s perfect for feeding a crowd!

This baked ziti is loved by both kids and adults. It’s pasta, sauce, and cheese, how can anyone not love it? It’s so easy to make and it makes great leftovers!

I used this hands-free electric can opener to help open the cans, and it’s been great! 

Kitchen Mama Portable Can Opener

I browned and drained the ground beef and added all the tomatoes, sauce and spices to a large pan. Allow to simmer. 

I also boiled my ziti noodles at the same time. 

I stirred up my ricotta mixture in another bowl. 

Once the noodles were al dente, I drained them and added to the tomato sauce. 

Spray a 9×13 dish. Add a layer of the noodle mixture (about half), then a layer of the ricotta mixture, then mozzarella/parmesan cheese. Continue with the same mixture combos finishing off with lots of mozzarella cheese. 

Bake per directions. Voila… ready to eat! 

You can serve with a salad, steamed vegetables, or some bread. 

 

  • INGREDIENTS

    ▢1 lb ziti pasta

    ▢1 lb ground beef or ground sausage

    ▢28 ounces marinara sauce or store-bought

    ▢2 cups canned diced tomatoes don’t drain

    ▢2 tsp garlic powder

    ▢1 tsp Italian seasoning

    ▢4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese

    ▢2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

    ▢1/4 cup parmesan cheese

    ▢salt and pepper to taste

    RICOTTA CHEESE MIXTURE

    ▢2 cups ricotta cheese

    ▢1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

    ▢2 tbsp parmesan cheese

    ▢1 tbsp fresh parsley finely minced

    ▢1 tsp fresh basil finely minced

    ▢1 garlic clove grated

    ▢1 egg

    ▢salt and pepper to taste

 

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. 
  2. Add the ground beef to a large pot and brown completely. Season the beef with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. 
  3. Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Once the 15 minutes are up, check for seasoning and reserve 2 cups of sauce. 
  4. While the meat sauce simmers, cook the ziti pasta in boiling salted water. 
  5. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, basil, and garlic. Mix well and season with salt and pepper. Set it aside. 
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the meat sauce and mix well. Add 1/2 of the pasta to a 9×13 baking dish. Place dollops of the ricotta mixture over the ziti along with fresh mozzarella cheese. 
  7. Pour the 2 cups of meat sauce over the ziti. Add the remaining layer of ziti pasta along with the remaining ricotta cheese mixture. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese over the top. 
  8. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Broil for 1-2 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired, and enjoy! 

 

Thanks friends! See you on Friday! 

xo

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