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–+ servings
Baked Ziti

Delicious Baked Ziti Recipe with Ground Meat and Cheese

This baked ziti recipe features layers of pasta, flavorful meat, and gooey cheese for a comforting family dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 419
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat and Vegetables
  • 1.5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 0.5 lb ground beef or ground turkey
  • 0.5 lb Italian sausage
  • 0.5 cup finely chopped onions
  • 0.25 cup finely chopped green peppers
  • salt to taste
  • 0.125 tsp black pepper
  • 1.5 tsp minced garlic
Sauces and Seasonings
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 10 oz tomato sauce
  • 2 tbsp chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp red wine
  • 1.5 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • red pepper flakes pinch, if desired
Pasta and Cheese
  • 8 oz ziti pasta cooked al dente and drained
  • 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese up to 2 cups
  • parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • Medium large pot
  • baking dish

Method
 

Cooking Process
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Add olive oil to a medium large sized pot over medium high heat.
  3. Add ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, green pepper, and salt and pepper. Brown until cooked.
  4. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken stock, red wine, Italian seasoning, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until the sauce has thickened, about 15-20 minutes, then remove from heat.
  6. Stir in cooked ziti pasta, then add pasta and sauce to a greased baking dish. Top with cheese, cover with foil, and bake for about 15-20 minutes.
  7. Once the cheese has melted, remove the foil and let the top brown for about 5 minutes.
  8. Cool for 10-15 minutes, then sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 419kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 20gFat: 23gSodium: 665mgFiber: 4gSugar: 9g

Notes

This dish not only looks stunning but also tastes incredible with its perfect blend of flavors and textures that are bound to impress your guests.

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