Easy Baked Ziti
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
55 mins
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Servings
10
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Calories
310 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Easy Baked Ziti
Description
This baked ziti starts with boiling pasta to al dente before combining it with cooked ground beef and mild Italian sausage that have been drained of fat. The sauce is a blend of marinara, canned diced tomatoes, cream cheese, and sour cream melted together to form a creamy tomato base enriched with garlic salt and Italian seasoning.
Mixed together, the pasta and sauce-coated meat go into a greased baking dish topped with sliced fresh and shredded mozzarella. Baking uncovered allows the cheese to melt thoroughly and develop golden spots without drying the entire casserole. Letting the dish rest before serving helps set the layers.
To avoid drying the noodles, covering the casserole with foil for half the baking time or ensuring a layer of cheese on top helps retain moisture. The dish can be prepped ahead by assembling without cheese topping, refrigerated or frozen, then baked later with cheese added. Leftovers store well refrigerated for a couple of days or frozen for months, to be reheated thoroughly before serving.
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package ziti pasta
- ½ pound ground beef 80% lean / 20% fat
- ½ pound Italian sausage mild
- 1½-2 cups marinara sauce we love Rao’s
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt with parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese sliced, fresh
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- basil for garnish, fresh
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and set aside.
- Cook pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, cook ground beef and Italian sausage in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring and breaking up into small pieces, until no longer pink, 7-10 minutes. Drain fat and set saucepan aside.
- In a large pot over medium heat, combine marinara sauce, tomatoes, cream cheese, and sour cream and cook, stirring often, until well blended and cream cheese is melted.
- Add cooked pasta and sauce to the saucepan with ground beef and mix well. Add garlic salt and Italian seasoning.
- Pour into the perpared pan. Top with fresh mozzarella and shredded mozzarella.
- Bake for 20 minutes, uncovered.
- Let rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
- Cover with foil during part of baking or include a cheese topping to prevent noodles from drying out.
- Prepare casserole ahead by assembling without cheese, refrigerate or freeze, then add cheese and bake when ready.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for 1-2 days or freeze for 2-3 months before reheating.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 310 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 310kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 4g | 1% |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 78mg | 26% |
| Sodium | 840mg | 35% |
| Potassium | 286mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 616IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 210mg | 21% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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