Baked ziti is one of the easiest baked pasta to make for dinner. One of the best parts is you may have left overs for the next day. For big families this may not be the case when everyone is coming back for more! This meal is loved because its budget friendly and you can make it stretch. Baked ziti is packed with ziti pasta, pasta sauce, ground beef or Italian ground sausage (use both if you want), cheeses and Italian seasonings. These ingredients are Baked together to make a comforting casserole dish! Let’s get into this easy recipe.
Details
At least 5 people
10 minutes
1 hour/15 minutes
Italian seasoning, beef bouillon, garlic and herb, black pepper garlic powder
Perfect with garlic bread , side salad, corn, fried chicken, broccoli, dinner rolls! The choice is yours!
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Ingredients
16 oz Box of Ziti pasta
1lb of ground beef or Italian ground sausage
2- 8 oz jars of your favorite pasta sauce
1 – 10 oz can of diced tomatoes
1-8oz bag of Mozzarella cheese
1- 8oz bag of cheddar cheese
1 yellow or white onion
1 green bell pepper (optional, I cook bell pepper and onions with meat)
At least 2-3 cloves of fresh garlic (optional)
1- 15 oz of ricotta cheese (optional)
Directions
- First, turn pot of water on for ziti pasta,(turn stove on medium high heat) when water starts to boil add 2 tbsp of olive oil or your choice of oil then add pasta. Let boil for about 7 minutes, drain and add to a mixing bowl or same pot. (Make sure to stir between cook time so pasta doesn’t stick to bottom, and turn down to medium low heat after adding pasta).
- While the water heats for pasta, start chopping onions and bell pepper. (Medium heat)Add to a cooking/frying pan at least 1 tbsp of cooking oil, add onions and peppers and let saute for about 2 minutes then add ground beef. Add seasonings while beef is cooking. Cook beef for about 7-10 minutes or until no more pink!
- Now, add diced tomatoes and ground beef to cooked pasta, mix together. Then add the remaining ingredients: pasta sauce, ricotta cheese, 1/2 bag of cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese. Mix everything really good then add it to baking dish. Spray bottom with cooking oil if not a non stick baking dish.
- Then add the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese on top. Cover dish with lid or aluminum foil. Let cook for 30 minutes covered, and for 25 minutes uncovered.
- Cheese should be melted and baked just how you want it. Let cool for 5-7 minutes then serve!
