0 from 12 votes
Easy Baked Ziti
Easy Baked Ziti combines rich tomato and meat sauce with pasta and cheese in classic Americanized Italian comfort food style!
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 760 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti (or other tube-shaped pasta such as penne)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 4 ounces diced raw bacon (about 1/2 cup or 4 slices)
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes with their juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 12 ounces shredded fresh mozzarella cheese (about 3 cups), divided use
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place a large pot of well-salted water on to boil. Cook the ziti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- While the ziti cooks, make the meat sauce. In a large skillet, add the olive oil, onion, and bacon. Cook, stirring frequently, until the bacon is cooked and the onion is translucent.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until no pink color remains in the ground beef. Drain any excess grease from the pan if needed.
- Add the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, celery seed, salt, and ground black pepper stirring well. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Remove the meat sauce from the heat and add the drained pasta and 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese. Stir together until evenly combined.
- Pour the mixture into an ovenproof baking dish or pan. Top with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and the grated Parmesan.
- Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You can substitute all sausage, half sausage, or all ground turkey.
- Store any leftovers in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- May be frozen either before or after baking. Wrap with plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. To bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Remove the plastic wrap and bake at 350F for about 35-40 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1portion
Calories
760kcal
(38%)
Carbohydrates
52g
(17%)
Protein
35g
(70%)
Fat
45g
(69%)
Saturated Fat
19g
(95%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
18g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
113mg
(38%)
Sodium
1158mg
(48%)
Potassium
779mg
(22%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
771IU
(15%)
Vitamin C
12mg
(13%)
Calcium
334mg
(33%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 760
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1portion | |
| Calories | 760kcal | 38% |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | 17% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 45g | 69% |
| Saturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 18g | 90% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 113mg | 38% |
| Sodium | 1158mg | 48% |
| Potassium | 779mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 771IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 334mg | 33% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.