Indulge in the classic Italian-American comfort food, Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce, a delightful casserole that combines tender ziti pasta, a rich and flavorful meat sauce, and a gooey, melted cheese topping. This hearty and satisfying dish is perfect for a family dinner, a potluck, or a cozy night in. Our collection of recipes offers a variety of takes on this beloved dish, from a traditional version to one with a spicy kick and even a vegetarian alternative. Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions, cooking tips, and beautiful photos to guide you through the process. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds and create a memorable meal with our Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce recipes.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
BAKED ZITI
For an Italian classic, try this Baked Ziti recipe from Food Network Kitchen. Tossed in a zesty tomato sauce and oozing with mozzarella, it couldn't be easier.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and boil the pasta until al dente (tender but still slightly firm). Drain.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the quick tomato sauce, cubed mozzarella, half the Parmesan, all of the black pepper and crushed red pepper in a large bowl. Transfer the pasta to the prepared baking dish. Cover the top of the pasta with the sliced mozzarella and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan. Bake until lightly browned and hot, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and the herb sprigs and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in 2 teaspoons salt and season with pepper. Use now or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
MEATY BAKED ZITI
This baked ziti recipe takes a little time to make, but it's worth it in the end! This meat sauce is way better than a jar sauce, and I use it for other Italian recipes as well. You can also make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a few days until you are ready to eat it.
Provided by Bridget
Time 2h5m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook and stir sausage and ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomato sauce, whole tomatoes with juice, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, basil, sugar, and red pepper flakes; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Turn off the heat. Transfer 3 cups sauce to a bowl and leave remaining sauce in the pot; allow to cool while you prepare ziti.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain ziti and rinse under cool water to stop it from cooking.
- Combine ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, 2 tablespoon parsley, and pepper in a bowl; stir together with a few turns but do not mix completely. Pour drained ziti into the bowl and toss until slightly combined with large lumps. Add the reserved 3 cups meat sauce and toss to combine.
- Place 1/2 of the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Spoon 1/2 of the remaining sauce over top, layer with 6 slices of provolone and 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat layers: pasta mixture, remaining sauce, 6 slices provolone, and 1 cup mozzarella. Cover with foil.
- Place on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven until bubbling, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake until cheese is fully melted and slightly browned, 5 to 10 more minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with parsley. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 593.1 calories, Carbohydrate 37.3 g, Cholesterol 111.2 mg, Fat 31.5 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 39.2 g, SaturatedFat 16 g, Sodium 1030.4 mg, Sugar 4.3 g
ITALIAN BAKED ZITI
This comforting Italian dish has a from-scratch spaghetti sauce, ziti pasta and a generous combination of cheeses. You can easily double the recipe to serve a larger crowd.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h20m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. , Stir in the spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, tomato paste, water, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, basil and 1/2 teaspoon oregano. Cover and simmer for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. , Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, egg, salt and pepper., Spread 1 cup meat sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with half of the pasta, a third of the meat sauce and half of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and oregano. , Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 431 calories, Fat 14g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 81mg cholesterol, Sodium 818mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 27g protein.
BAKED ZITI WITH THICK RICH MEAT SAUCE
This does make enough to feed 12 very fillingly! Using Recipe #256239 which is a large amount that we top the baked ziti additional sauce and then freeze the remaining cooled sauce in 1 cup amounts for future use. The pasta is under cooked by 4 minutes it will finish when baked and it will absorb the liquid from the sauce making it yummier. This is very hearty, comforting, and satisfying because Mom's will know their families are getting many nutrients that they need.
Provided by Rita1652
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Prepare sauce and keep under a low flame.
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Mix the cheese mixture together.
- Mix pasta with 1/3 - 1/2 of the cheese mixture till creamy and gooey.
- Place 1 1/2 cups sauce in bottom of a 10x13 casserole dish.
- Top with 1/2 of the pasta.
- Spread the remaining cheese on the pasta.
- Top with 2-3 cups of the meat sauce.
- Top with remaining pasta; 1 cup sauce; 1 cup mozzarella; then top with grated cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Placing foil on the rack below to catch any spillage that may occur for this is packed with goodness.
- Meanwhile let the sauce keep simmering to use if desired on top of the baked ziti.
BAKED ZITI I
A lady I worked with brought this in one day, and it was a hit. Now it is the favorite of all my dinner guests. It's great for a covered dish dinner too. I have made this also without the meat, and it is well received.
Provided by Colleen B. Smith
Categories Pasta and Noodles Pasta by Shape Recipes Ziti Recipes
Time 55m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.
- In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 578.2 calories, Carbohydrate 58.4 g, Cholesterol 71.3 mg, Fat 25.3 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 27.9 g, SaturatedFat 12.7 g, Sodium 913.6 mg, Sugar 14.3 g
BAKED ZITI WITH VODKA SAUCE
Tired of every day mac and cheese? Try this easy recipe the family will love!
Provided by leese
Time 1h20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a large baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, 9 to 11 minutes.
- While the ziti is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion to the hot skillet and cook until beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, oregano, and garlic powder; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Drain and discard grease. Stir in marinara sauce.
- Drain ziti and transfer to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese over top, then layer with cottage cheese, meat sauce, and remaining mozzarella. Beat milk, eggs, salt, and pepper together in a bowl, and pour over top.
- Bake in the preheated oven until set and bubbly, about 45 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 780.9 calories, Carbohydrate 64.8 g, Cholesterol 241.7 mg, Fat 34.3 g, Fiber 4.7 g, Protein 49.8 g, SaturatedFat 15.3 g, Sodium 1038.1 mg, Sugar 15.3 g
Tips:
- Use a large pot: The sauce will need plenty of room to simmer and reduce. A Dutch oven or large stockpot is ideal.
- Brown the meat well: This will help to develop flavor and prevent the sauce from being greasy. Cook the meat over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it is browned on all sides.
- Add vegetables to the sauce: This will help to add flavor and nutrition. Some good options include onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and bell peppers.
- Use a good quality tomato sauce: This is the base of the dish, so it's important to use a sauce that you like the taste of. Look for a sauce that is made with fresh tomatoes and has a rich flavor.
- Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes: This will help to develop the flavor and thicken the sauce.
- Use a variety of cheeses: This will add flavor and texture to the dish. A good combination is mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta cheeses.
- Cook the ziti al dente: This means that it should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
- Serve the baked ziti immediately: This is when it is at its best. Top with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Conclusion:
Baked ziti with meat sauce is a classic Italian dish that is perfect for a family meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious baked ziti that everyone will love.
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