Baked Ziti with Thick Rich Meat Sauce
Dive into comfort food heaven with this Baked Ziti with Thick Rich Meat Sauce, a hearty Italian-American classic that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for the week. This recipe features tender ziti pasta tossed in a robust meat sauce made with a savory blend of ground beef, Italian sausage, and aromatic spices like oregano and basil. Layered with creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and tangy parmesan, each bite delivers the perfect balance of cheesy, meaty, and saucy goodness. Finished with a golden, bubbling top and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this baked ziti is not just a meal—it’s a hearty, satisfying experience. Easy to prepare in under an hour, it’s ideal for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or potluck parties.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 0.5 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until it is fully browned. Drain excess fat, if necessary.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with half of the meat sauce. Stir until evenly coated.
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Layer half of the ziti mixture on top of the sauce.
Spread the ricotta cheese over the ziti, followed by 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
Add another layer of ziti mixture, followed by the remaining meat sauce. Top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5040 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 262.0 g | 336% | |
| Saturated Fat | 109.7 g | 548% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 847 mg | 282% | |
| Sodium | 7869 mg | 342% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 435.5 g | 158% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 42.2 g | 151% | |
| Total Sugars | 60.6 g | ||
| Protein | 269.3 g | 539% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 3423 mg | 263% | |
| Iron | 35.3 mg | 196% | |
| Potassium | 4249 mg | 90% | |
*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.
