Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Best Baked Ziti Ever recipe. A hearty meat sauce layered with creamy cheeses and ziti pasta, baked to perfection for a delicious family meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium white onion diced
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 5 teaspoons minced garlic about 5 cloves
- 1 (6 ounce can) tomato paste
- 1 (28 ounce can) crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce can) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Baked Ziti
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Brown ground beef in olive oil, then add onion, mushrooms, and garlic. Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Simmer for flavors to meld.
- Cook Ziti Pasta: Cook ziti according to package instructions, then drain.
- Assemble Baked Ziti: Mix cream cheese and ricotta, then layer ziti, meat sauce, cheese mixture, and Parmesan in a baking dish.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake until bubbly, then uncover and bake until cheese is golden.
Notes
- You can add additional cheese or herbs for extra flavor.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and baked when ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg