Baked Ziti
Servings: 8 Servings
Ingredients
- 12 ounces uncooked ziti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- ¼ cup water
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes canned
- 1 ½ tablespoons balsamic glaze
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese divided
- 12 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400°F, and lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the ziti until almost al dente. Drain, and set aside.12 ounces uncooked ziti
- While the pasta cooks, make the meat sauce. Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper to a large sauté pan and cook on medium heat until the beef is almost browned.1 pound ground beef, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Drain the beef leaving about a tablespoon of fat behind, then add the onions. Continue to cook until the onions are softened and the ground beef is cooked through.1 medium onion
- Add the remaining seasonings and tomato paste, and sauté for a 3-4 minutes until fragrant.2 tablespoons light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- Pour in the water to deglaze the pan. Then add the crushed tomatoes and balsamic glaze.28 ounces crushed tomatoes, ¼ cup water, 1 ½ tablespoons balsamic glaze
- Add the cooked ziti, and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle in ¼ cup of parmesan cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, mix well then transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Top the pasta with the remaining cheese and bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve with additional parmesan cheese and fresh parsley or basil if desired.
- For tips, notes, FAQs, and storage information, scroll to the post below the recipe card.
Notes
*The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1.5 cups of pasta. Actual calories will vary.
*Recipe makes approximately 12 cups.
Nutrition Facts
Baked Ziti
Serving Size
1.25 cups
Amount per Serving
Calories
517
% Daily Value*
Fat
23
g
35
%
Saturated Fat
11
g
55
%
Trans Fat
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
8
g
Cholesterol
78
mg
26
%
Sodium
880
mg
37
%
Potassium
690
mg
20
%
Carbohydrates
48
g
16
%
Fiber
4
g
16
%
Sugar
11
g
12
%
Protein
29
g
58
%
Vitamin A
675
IU
14
%
Vitamin C
12
mg
15
%
Calcium
372
mg
37
%
Iron
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
