Hearty Baked Ziti with Savory Meat Sauce
Indulge in this comforting Hearty Baked Ziti with Savory Meat Sauce, a dish that embodies warmth and satisfaction. Designed to serve 12 generous portions, this recipe takes full advantage of a rich meat sauce that is prepared in bulk, allowing for easy meals in the future by freezing leftovers. By slightly undercooking the ziti, each bite absorbs the luscious sauce as it bakes, resulting in a dish that's not only hearty but also utterly delicious. Packed with nutrients, this meal will keep your family well-fed and happy, making it a perfect choice for gatherings and family dinners.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pasta Sauce with Meat
5-6 cups (Prepared using this recipe)
Ziti or Penne Pasta
1 lb (Undercooked by 2-4 minutes)
Ricotta Cheese
3 cups (N/A)
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
2 cups + 1 cup for topping (Divided between layers)
Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup + 1/4 cup for topping (Divided between layers)
Egg
1 (Slightly beaten)
Dried Parsley
1 tablespoon (N/A)
Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (N/A)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Rich Thick Meat Sauce and keep it warm on low flame while you preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, black pepper, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese to form a creamy cheese mixture.
3
Boil ziti or penne pasta in salted water until just undercooked (about 2-4 minutes less than package instructions). Drain the pasta and immediately mix it with 1/3 to 1/2 of the cheese mixture until well coated.
4
Spread about 1 1/2 cups of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 10x13 casserole dish.
5
Layer half of the pasta mixture over the sauce, followed by the remaining cheese mixture spread evenly on top.
6
Add 2-3 cups of the savory meat sauce over the cheese, then top with the remaining pasta.
7
Pour 1 cup of sauce over the pasta, followed by 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and finish with the remaining 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese on top.
8
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil (to prevent browning too quickly) and bake for 30 minutes, placing a baking sheet lined with foil on the rack below to catch any drips.
9
During the baking time, let the remaining meat sauce simmer and stir occasionally. Serve additional warm sauce over the baked ziti if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is for Hearty Baked Ziti with Savory Meat Sauce.
How many servings does this provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 12 generous portions.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What is included in the cheese mixture?
The mixture contains ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, black pepper, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese.
How should the pasta be cooked initially?
Boil the ziti or penne until it is just undercooked, about 2 to 4 minutes less than the package instructions.
Why is it important to undercook the pasta?
Slightly undercooking the pasta allows it to absorb the luscious meat sauce while it bakes.
What types of pasta can be used for this dish?
You can use either ziti or penne pasta.
What size of casserole dish is required?
Use a 10x13 casserole dish for this recipe.
How much meat sauce should be placed at the bottom of the dish?
Spread about 1.5 cups of the meat sauce on the bottom of the casserole dish.
How is the cheese mixture incorporated into the layers?
After draining, immediately mix the pasta with 1/3 to 1/2 of the cheese mixture until well coated.
How is the second cheese layer applied?
The remaining cheese mixture is spread evenly over the first layer of pasta.
How much meat sauce is added over the cheese layer?
Add 2 to 3 cups of the savory meat sauce over the cheese layer.
What is the final topping for the ziti?
The final topping consists of 1 cup of sauce, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of grated parmesan.
How much mozzarella cheese is used for the topping?
One cup of shredded mozzarella cheese is reserved for the final topping.
How much parmesan cheese is used for the topping?
A 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese is used to finish the top of the dish.
Why should you cover the dish with aluminum foil?
It is covered with foil to prevent the cheese from browning too quickly during baking.
What is the recommended baking time for the casserole?
The casserole should bake for a total of 30 minutes.
What is the purpose of the baking sheet on the lower rack?
A foil-lined baking sheet on the lower rack catches any drips that may fall from the casserole.
What should you do with the remaining meat sauce?
Keep the remaining meat sauce simmering and serve extra warm sauce over the baked ziti if desired.
Can this baked ziti recipe be frozen?
Yes, leftovers can be frozen for easy meals in the future.
How many eggs are needed for the cheese mixture?
The recipe calls for one egg.
How should the egg be prepared?
The egg should be slightly beaten before being added to the ricotta mixture.
How much dried parsley is used in the recipe?
One tablespoon of dried parsley is included in the cheese mixture.
What amount of black pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
How much pasta is required for this recipe?
One pound of ziti or penne pasta is required.
What kind of meat sauce is recommended?
A rich, thick meat sauce is recommended for this dish.
Is this recipe suitable for family dinners?
Yes, it is a comforting meal perfect for gatherings and family dinners.
What is the total amount of meat sauce suggested?
The recipe suggests having 5 to 6 cups of pasta sauce with meat prepared.
How much ricotta cheese is used?
The recipe uses 3 cups of ricotta cheese.
How many main ingredients are listed for this dish?
There are 8 main ingredients listed in the recipe.