Best Baked Ziti Ever
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
657 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Best Baked Ziti Ever
Description
This baked ziti recipe combines classic Italian-American flavors with a hearty meat sauce and a cheese blend. The meat sauce includes ground beef sautéed with diced onions and sliced mushrooms, then simmered with garlic, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to develop depth of flavor. The pasta is cooked until just tender and combined with the sauce.
The cheese topping, a mixture of cream cheese, ricotta, and freshly grated Parmesan, adds creaminess and a rich texture that contrasts with the savory meat sauce beneath. After assembling the pasta, sauce, and cheese topping in a greased baking dish, the casserole bakes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, forming a golden crust.
Serving this baked ziti warm allows the layers and flavors to meld. It provides a filling and balanced dish that can be served on its own or with a simple salad or garlic bread. The combination of melted cheeses and flavorful meat sauce highlights the comfort-food appeal of this recipe.
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium white onion diced
- 8 ounces mushroom sliced
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (6 ounce can) tomato paste
- 1 (28 ounce can) crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce can) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon basil dried
- 1 tablespoon oregano dried
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Baked Ziti
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 8 ounces cream cheese , softened
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
Instructions
- Pour olive oil into a large, deep skillet, over medium-high heat. Add in ground beef and brown, 5 minutes. Add in diced onions, and mushrooms (optional). Saute for 5 to 7 minutes until onions are soft and translucent, and ground beef is cooked through.
- Add in garlic and tomato paste and toast for 2 minutes. Pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir in basil, oregano, salt, and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until pasta is ready.
- Cook pasta in boiling water, according to package directions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare the cheese topping in a small mixing bowl by combining cream cheese, ricotta, and parmesan. Mix together until smooth.
- Once the pasta is done, add it into the meat sauce and stir to combine. Pour it into a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Spread cheese mixture on top of the pasta.
- Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 657 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 657kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 67g | 22% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Cholesterol | 88mg | 29% |
| Sodium | 1026mg | 43% |
| Potassium | 1244mg | 26% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 1304IU | 26% |
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 22% |
| Calcium | 285mg | 29% |
| Iron | 6mg | 33% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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