Description
A comforting blend of ziti pasta, hearty meat sauce, and melty cheese, perfect for family gatherings or a cozy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil salted water and cook ziti until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion until soft. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add ground meat, breaking it apart, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
- Combine the cooked ziti with the meat sauce in a large bowl.
- In a baking dish, layer half of the ziti mixture, top with mozzarella, add the rest of the ziti, and sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Let rest for a few moments before serving.
Notes
Try adding sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: baked ziti, comfort food, Italian recipe, family meal, easy recipe