Best 9 Meaty Baked Ziti Recipes

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Indulge in a hearty and comforting culinary journey with our delectable Meaty Baked Ziti, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This classic Italian-American casserole is a delightful fusion of tender ziti pasta, enveloped in a rich and flavorful meat sauce, and topped with a blanket of melted cheese. Embark on a culinary adventure as we guide you through three variations of this beloved dish: a traditional meat sauce, a zesty sausage and peppers rendition, and a unique vegetarian delight. Each recipe promises a distinct flavor profile, catering to diverse preferences and dietary choices. Prepare to be captivated by the hearty and fulfilling experience that awaits you with Meaty Baked Ziti.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MEATY BAKED ZITI



Meaty Baked Ziti image

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

1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage
1 pound ground beef
2 (14.5 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes with juice
½ cup diced white onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon white sugar
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
1 (15 ounce) container whole-milk ricotta cheese
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg, beaten
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, or to taste
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
12 slices provolone cheese

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

BAKED ZITI



Baked Ziti image

Baked ziti is classic Italian-American comfort food! Bake ziti pasta with sausage, tomato sauce, and all kinds of gooey, yummy cheeses. This easy baked ziti recipe is always a hit!

Provided by Elise Bauer

Categories     Dinner     Budget     Casserole     Comfort Food     Freezer-friendly     Make-ahead     Pantry Meal     Casserole     Cheese     Italian     Italian Sausage     Pasta

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound ziti (can sub penne) pasta
Extra virgin olive oil
1 pound bulk Italian sausage or ground beef or pork
1 large onion, chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (or basil), minced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 large jar of marinara sauce (about 32 ounces) or make your own tomato sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 pound of mozzarella cheese, grated or shredded
1 heaping cup of ricotta cheese
1 cup grated parmesan or pecorino cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Cook the pasta: Heat a large pot of salted water (for every 2 quarts of water, one tablespoon of salt) to a strong boil. Add the pasta and cook at a rolling boil, uncovered, until the pasta is al dente-edible but still a little firm to the bite. Drain the pasta through a colander. Toss with a little olive oil so the pasta does not stick together while you make the sauce.
  • Brown the meat: While the water is heating in the previous step, start on the sauce. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan on medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering hot, add the bulk sausage or ground meat. Break up any large chunks of sausage as it cooks. Brown well. Don't stir that often or it will be more difficult for the meat to brown. If you are using ground beef or pork instead of sausage, sprinkle with a little salt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 557 kcal, Carbohydrate 36 g, Cholesterol 78 mg, Fiber 4 g, Protein 30 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, Sodium 1510 mg, Sugar 9 g, Fat 32 g, ServingSize Serves at least 8, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

BAKED ZITI



Baked Ziti image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h35m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, diced
1 pound ground beef
1 pound Italian sausage
Two 14.5-ounce cans tomato sauce or marinara sauce
One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes with juice
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound ziti
1 1/2 pounds mozzarella, grated
One 15-ounce tub whole-milk ricotta
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for sprinkling
2 eggs

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and saute until starting to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and sausage and cook until browned. Drain off almost all of the fat, leaving a bit behind for flavor and moisture. Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper. Stir, bring to a simmer and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove 3 to 4 cups of the cooked sauce to a bowl to cool down.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add some salt. Cook the ziti until not quite al dente.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • In a bowl, mix 2 cups of the grated mozzarella, the ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, eggs and some salt and pepper. Stir together just a couple of times (do not mix completely).
  • Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Pour it into the bowl with the cheese mixture and toss to slightly combine (there should still be large lumps). Add the cooled reserved meat sauce and toss to combine.
  • Add half the coated pasta to a large casserole dish or lasagna dish. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the top, then top with half the remaining mozzarella. Repeat with another layer of the coated pasta and the remaining sauce and mozzarella.
  • Bake until bubbling, about 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before sprinkling with chopped parsley to serve.

ITALIAN BAKED ZITI



Italian Baked Ziti image

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

1/2 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-3/4 cups spaghetti sauce
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
6 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried basil
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano, divided
8 ounces ziti or small tube pasta
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

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



Baked Ziti With Thick Rich Meat Sauce image

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

5 -6 cups pasta sauce with meat (Rich Thick Meat Sauce for a Crowd!)
1 lb ziti pasta or 1 lb penne pasta, under cooked
3 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 egg, slightly mix
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

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.

EXTRA MEATY BAKED ZITI



Extra Meaty Baked Ziti image

I know there are a lot of baked ziti recipes out there but this one has double the meat. My husband loves beef and I usually end up putting in more meat than is called for. This is so hearty and delicious. I often like to add a can of drained stewed tomatoes or diced tomatoes. I have also added a little bit of cottage cheese to the ricotta mixture to use it up. It still tasted great :) Make sure to serve with breadsticks or garlic bread!

Provided by Delish

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h5m

Yield 9-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb ziti pasta
2 lbs lean ground beef
2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
1 medium onion, chopped (optional)
42 ounces favorite spaghetti sauce
2 eggs
15 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon italian seasoning (optional) or 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
2 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.
  • Stir in spaghetti sauce.
  • In a bowl, combine the eggs, ricotta, Italian seasoning or parsley if desired, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella and Parmesan.
  • Drain pasta; add to cheese mixture and stir to coat evenly.
  • Spoon a third of the meat sauce into a greased 9x13 pan; top with half of the pasta mixture.
  • Repeat layers, ending with meat sauce.
  • Cover and bake at 350 for 40 minutes.
  • Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
  • Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 738.4, Fat 30.9, SaturatedFat 14.8, Cholesterol 173.3, Sodium 1295.5, Carbohydrate 58.2, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 14.3, Protein 54

MEATY ZITI WITH PESTO DOLLOP



Meaty Ziti with Pesto Dollop image

Provided by Molly Yeh

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
2 tablespoons (26 grams) extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound (453 grams) sweet Italian sausage, removed from casings
1 medium onion, sliced
1 medium bulb fennel, quartered, cored and thinly sliced (reserve 1/2 cup tender fronds for the pesto)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup dry red wine
One 28-ounce/794-gram can whole tomatoes, crushed by hand
One 8-ounce/227-gram can tomato sauce (reserve the can)
1 pound (453 grams) ziti
2 cups (224 grams) low-moisture whole milk shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup (40 grams) grated Parmesan
One 8-ounce/226-gram ball fresh mozzarella, halved
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups loosely packed fresh basil
1 cup loosely packed fresh Italian parsley leaves
1/2 cup fresh fennel fronds
1/4 cup (30 grams) blanched almonds, toasted
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons (10 grams) grated Parmesan, plus more for finishing
1/3 cup (71 grams) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

Steps:

  • For the meaty ziti: Place an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta.
  • Heat a large braiser (about 5 quarts) over medium heat and add the olive oil. Crumble in the sausage. Cook, breaking up into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 4 minutes. Add the onion, sliced fennel and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes. Stir to incorporate and allow the red pepper flakes to toast, about 1 minute. Add the wine. Increase the heat to reduce by half, about 2 minutes.
  • Add both cans of tomatoes. Add 1 cup water to the smaller reserved can and add the tomato-water to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook until thick and flavorful, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, add the ziti to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions. Drain and add the pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat. Add almost all the shredded mozzarella (saving some for the top) and 1/4 cup Parmesan. Tear half the fresh mozzarella into smaller pieces and add to the pasta; fold the cheeses into the pasta. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan, then dot with torn pieces of the remaining fresh mozzarella.
  • Bake, uncovered, until the edges are bubbling and the top is golden and crusty, 20 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, make the pesto.
  • For the pesto: Combine the basil, parsley, fennel fronds, almonds, lemon zest and juice, garlic, salt and Parmesan in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to make a coarse paste. With the machine running, add the olive oil in a steady stream to make a smooth pesto.
  • Dollop the pesto on top of the hot pasta. Season with black pepper and finish with grated Parmesan.

EASY ZITI BAKE



Easy Ziti Bake image

I enjoy making this baked ziti recipe for family and friends. It's easy to prepare, and I like to get creative with the sauce. Sometimes I might add my home-canned tomatoes, mushrooms or vegetables. -Elaine Anderson New Galilee, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 6-8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

12 ounces uncooked ziti or small tube pasta
2 pounds ground beef
1 jar (24 ounces) spaghetti sauce
2 large eggs, beaten
1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
2-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce. , In a large bowl, combine eggs, ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese. Drain pasta; add to cheese mixture and stir until blended., Spoon a third of the meat sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; top with half of the pasta mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining meat sauce., Cover and bake 40 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 630 calories, Fat 30g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 164mg cholesterol, Sodium 878mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 45g protein.

MEATLESS BAKED ZITI



Meatless Baked Ziti image

This meatless baked ziti can feed a lot of people, and is cheap and easy to make ... wonderful comfort food for the fall and winter.

Provided by Meganginna

Categories     100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes     Vegetarian     Main Dishes     Pasta

Time 1h15m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
1 pound shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 (15 ounce) container whole-milk ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
½ cup grated Romano cheese
½ medium yellow onion, chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 large egg
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon ground thyme
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 cups marinara sauce, divided

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 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 8 minutes. Rinse and drain.
  • Mix mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, onion, parsley, egg, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Stir in drained pasta and 2 cups of marinara sauce.
  • Pour 1 cup marinara into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread to coat. Pour pasta and cheese mixture into the pan, top with remaining marinara, and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake, covered, in the preheated oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. Remove cover and continue to bake until bubbly and cheese is browned, about 10 minutes more. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 415.5 calories, Carbohydrate 43.9 g, Cholesterol 63.4 mg, Fat 15.3 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 24.5 g, SaturatedFat 8.4 g, Sodium 790.8 mg, Sugar 9.3 g

Tips:

  • Use a variety of cheeses. This will give your baked ziti a richer, more complex flavor. A good combination is mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is best for baked ziti. If you overcook it, it will become mushy.
  • Make sure the sauce is flavorful. The sauce is the key to a great baked ziti. Use a flavorful sauce that you love. If you're short on time, you can use a jarred sauce.
  • Don't skimp on the meat. Meat is an important part of baked ziti. Use a good quality ground beef or sausage. You can also use a combination of meats.
  • Add some vegetables. Vegetables will add color, texture, and nutrients to your baked ziti. Some good choices include spinach, mushrooms, and zucchini.
  • Top it with cheese. Before you bake the ziti, top it with a layer of cheese. This will help to brown the top and give it a nice crispy crust.
  • Let it rest before serving. Once the baked ziti is out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the pasta to firm up.

Conclusion:

Baked ziti is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great dish to serve at a party or potluck. With a few simple tips, you can make a baked ziti that is sure to impress your family and friends.

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