5 from 234 votes
Best Baked Ziti Ever
Best Baked Ziti Ever features tender cooked ziti pasta mixed into a rich, savory meat sauce of ground beef, onions, mushrooms, garlic, and a blend of tomato products and Italian herbs. Topped with a creamy, smooth mix of cream cheese, ricotta, and Parmesan, and baked until bubbly, the casserole offers a comforting texture with a cheesy crust. This dish makes a hearty main course for family dinners or gatherings.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Servings:
8
servings
Calories:
657 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
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.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
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%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 657
% 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.