Baked Ziti with Mini Meatballs
Dive into comfort food heaven with this irresistible Baked Ziti with Mini Meatballs recipe, perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or indulging in a cozy family dinner. Tender ziti pasta is coated in creamy ricotta and rich marinara sauce, layered alongside bite-sized meatballs made from a flavorful blend of ground beef and pork, Parmesan cheese, and fragrant herbs. Topped with a bubbling trio of shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and a hint of fresh parsley, this hearty casserole bakes to golden perfection in under an hour. Whether you're meal-prepping for the week or serving up a show-stopping main dish, this recipe combines classic Italian flavors with a fun twist that will leave everyone at the table craving seconds. Perfect for keywords like "easy baked ziti," "mini meatball recipes," and "Italian casserole dinner."
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 0.5 lb ground pork
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 32 oz marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined.
Roll the meat mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs (approximately 1 inch in diameter). Place them on a large plate or tray.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, cook the meatballs until browned on all sides, about 6-7 minutes. They do not need to be fully cooked through; they will finish cooking in the oven. Set the browned meatballs aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, marinara sauce (reserving 1/2 cup), and ricotta cheese. Stir until the pasta is well coated.
Spread a thin layer of the reserved marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the ziti mixture into the dish and spread it evenly.
Add an even layer of cooked meatballs on top of the ziti. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the meatballs.
Add the remaining half of the ziti mixture on top of the meatballs. Sprinkle the remaining cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and the shredded Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5501 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 281.6 g | 361% | |
| Saturated Fat | 115.5 g | 578% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1119 mg | 373% | |
| Sodium | 7820 mg | 340% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 439.1 g | 160% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 34.4 g | 123% | |
| Total Sugars | 40.4 g | ||
| Protein | 322.4 g | 645% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.7 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 3670 mg | 282% | |
| Iron | 32.1 mg | 178% | |
| Potassium | 1563 mg | 33% | |
*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.
