Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Dive into the ultimate comfort food experience with Baked Ziti with Meatballs, a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that's perfect for family dinners and special occasions alike. This recipe combines tender ziti pasta with juicy meatballs crafted from a flavorful blend of ground beef, pork, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Layered with creamy ricotta, ooey-gooey mozzarella, and a rich marinara sauce, this baked masterpiece is topped with extra Parmesan and baked to perfection for a golden, bubbling finish. Easy to prepare in under 90 minutes, this baked ziti delivers the perfect balance of cheesy indulgence and savory satisfaction, with fresh basil adding a touch of herby brightness. Serve warm and let every comforting bite bring joy to your table! Perfect keywords include "baked ziti recipe," "meatballs with pasta," "cheesy pasta bake," and "Italian-inspired comfort food."
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 0.5 lb ground pork
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.25 cup extra grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, egg, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well with your hands until evenly combined.
Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides, cooking for about 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom.
Add half of the cooked ziti, then half of the meatballs, followed by half of the ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, meatballs, marinara sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella.
Sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese on top and cover with foil.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped basil leaves.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
777 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 47.7 g | 61% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.9 g | 100% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 165 mg | 55% | |
| Sodium | 1104 mg | 48% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 38.9 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.1 g | ||
| Protein | 44.5 g | 89% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 502 mg | 39% | |
| Iron | 3.2 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 380 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
