Hearty Italian Baked Ziti with Savory Meatballs
Experience the comforting flavors of Italy with this Hearty Baked Ziti featuring tender meatballs and creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and fragrant herbs. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners, this dish is a delightful celebration of classic Italian cuisine. Featuring a rich homemade tomato sauce and an abundance of gooey cheese, each bite promises a warm embrace of flavor. This recipe is not only simple to prepare but also makes for fantastic leftovers. Your loved ones will be asking for seconds, and it's bound to be a hit during festive occasions!
N/A
Servings
533
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Plain dried breadcrumbs
1/4 cup (none)
Large eggs
2 (lightly beaten)
Milk
2 tablespoons (none)
Grated Romano cheese
3/4 cup (none)
Chopped flat leaf parsley
1/4 cup (none)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
to taste (none)
Ground beef
1 lb (none)
All-purpose flour
for dredging (none)
Ziti pasta
1 lb (cooked until al dente)
Extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (none)
Tomato sauce
5 cups (none)
Whole milk ricotta cheese
3 cups (none)
Shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups (none)
Grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (none)
Unsalted butter
6 tablespoons (cut into 1/4-inch pieces)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the plain dried breadcrumbs, lightly beaten eggs, and milk. Stir in 1/2 cup of grated Romano cheese and chopped flat-leaf parsley. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
3
Add the ground beef to the mixture and combine gently. Be careful not to overwork the meat. Form the mixture into bite-sized meatballs and roll each one in all-purpose flour, shaking off the excess.
4
In a large pot, bring 6 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside. If not using immediately, cover it with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. Do not rinse the pasta to preserve its natural starches.
5
Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the meatballs in batches. Allow them to brown on one side for about 3 minutes without moving them. Turn and brown the other side until all sides are golden brown. Remove the meatballs and set them aside on a plate.
6
In a large mixing bowl, combine the tomato sauce and whole milk ricotta cheese, mixing until well incorporated. Gently fold in the cooked ziti and browned meatballs until everything is evenly coated.
7
Grease a large baking dish and pour the ziti mixture into it, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, and remaining Romano cheese generously over the top. Dot the surface with pieces of unsalted butter.
8
Place the baking dish on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil to catch any drippings. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling deliciously.
Nutrition Information
30g
Fat
40g
Carbs
25g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish of this recipe?
The main dish is Hearty Italian Baked Ziti with Savory Meatballs, a classic Italian comfort food.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
How long should I cook the ziti pasta?
Cook the ziti pasta in boiling salted water for approximately 8 minutes, or until it is al dente.
Should I rinse the pasta after draining?
No, do not rinse the pasta; this preserves its natural starches which helps the sauce cling better.
What are the ingredients for the meatballs?
The meatballs consist of ground beef, plain dried breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, grated Romano cheese, chopped flat-leaf parsley, salt, and pepper.
What is the secret to preparing the meatballs before browning?
After forming bite-sized meatballs, roll each one in all-purpose flour and shake off the excess before frying.
How long should the meatballs brown in the skillet?
Brown the meatballs for about 3 minutes per side until all sides are golden brown.
What oil is used for frying the meatballs?
Extra-virgin olive oil is used to fry the meatballs over medium-high heat.
What type of cheese is mixed directly with the tomato sauce?
Whole milk ricotta cheese is mixed with the tomato sauce before adding the pasta.
How many types of cheese are used as a topping?
Three types of cheese are used for the topping: shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, and the remaining grated Romano cheese.
Why should I put the baking dish on a lined baking sheet?
Placing it on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil helps catch any sauce or cheese that might drip over during baking.
How long does the ziti need to bake?
The ziti should bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven.
How do I know when the baked ziti is finished?
It is ready when the cheese on top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
What is the calorie count for this recipe?
This recipe contains approximately 533 calories per serving.
How much protein is in a serving of this dish?
Each serving contains 25g of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
The fat content is 30g per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this baked ziti?
There are 40g of carbohydrates per serving.
What type of parsley should be used?
The recipe calls for chopped flat-leaf parsley.
How much tomato sauce is required?
You will need 5 cups of tomato sauce.
What is the role of the unsalted butter in the recipe?
Pieces of unsalted butter are dotted on the surface of the cheese topping to add richness and assist in browning.
How much ground beef is needed for the meatballs?
The recipe requires 1 lb of ground beef.
What size should the meatballs be?
The meat mixture should be formed into bite-sized meatballs.
What amount of ricotta cheese is used?
The recipe uses 3 cups of whole milk ricotta cheese.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed for the topping?
You will need 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 15 distinct ingredients used in this recipe.
Can I use Romano cheese in both the meatballs and the topping?
Yes, 1/2 cup goes into the meatball mixture and the remaining portion of the 3/4 cup is used for the topping.
Is this recipe suitable for leftovers?
Yes, the description notes that this recipe makes for fantastic leftovers.
What kind of breadcrumbs are used?
The recipe specifies plain dried breadcrumbs.
How much milk is used in the meatball mixture?
Two tablespoons of milk are used in the meatball mixture.
Is this dish considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a one-dish meal, making it convenient for family dinners.