Ultimate Cheesy Baked Ziti
Indulge in this Ultimate Cheesy Baked Ziti, a comforting and delicious dish perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights in. Layered with savory ground beef, aromatic onions, and garlic, this baked ziti is smothered in a rich meatless sauce and combined with tender ziti pasta. Topped with a generous blend of melted mozzarella and grated parmesan, each bite offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures. Prepare this dish ahead of time and serve it warm, making it the ideal choice for entertaining or a satisfying weeknight meal.
N/A
Servings
320
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef
1 lb (browned in skillet)
onion
1 cup (chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
meatless sauce
1 (32 ounce) jar (store-bought)
chicken broth
1 cup (liquid)
dried oregano
1 teaspoon (leaves)
ziti pasta
1 (16 ounce) package (cooked and drained)
shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups (for layering and topping)
grated parmesan cheese
1 cup (for layering and topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, chopped onions, and minced garlic for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure even cooking.
3
Once the beef is cooked through, add the meatless sauce, chicken broth, and dried oregano. Stir well to combine and reduce the heat; let it simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with 1 cup of the sauce mixture. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
5
Spread half of the ziti mixture into a greased 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
6
Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese over the first layer of ziti.
7
Spoon 2 cups of the remaining sauce over the cheese, followed by the rest of the ziti mixture. Finish by layering the remaining sauce on top.
8
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes.
9
After 20 minutes, carefully remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses over the top.
10
Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
11
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your Ultimate Cheesy Baked Ziti with a side salad or garlic bread!
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
24g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultimate Cheesy Baked Ziti?
Ultimate Cheesy Baked Ziti is a comforting dish featuring ground beef, onions, garlic, and ziti pasta layered with meatless sauce and a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How much ground beef is required?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of lean ground beef.
How long should I brown the beef and onions?
Brown the ground beef, chopped onions, and minced garlic for 6 to 8 minutes.
What kind of sauce is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses one 32-ounce jar of store-bought meatless sauce.
Why is chicken broth added to the sauce?
Chicken broth is added to the sauce to help the flavors meld and provide moisture during the simmering process.
How much dried oregano is needed?
You will need 1 teaspoon of dried oregano leaves.
Should the ziti pasta be cooked before baking?
Yes, the ziti pasta should be cooked and drained before being combined with the sauce and baked.
How much mozzarella cheese is used?
A total of 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese is used for layering and topping.
How much parmesan cheese is included?
The recipe uses 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese for layering and topping.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A greased 13x9x2-inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
How long do you simmer the sauce mixture?
The sauce mixture should simmer for about 10 minutes.
How do I layer the ingredients in the baking dish?
Layer half the ziti mixture, followed by 1.5 cups mozzarella and 0.5 cups parmesan, then 2 cups of sauce, the rest of the ziti, and finally the remaining sauce.
Do I need to cover the dish while baking?
Yes, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil for the first 20 minutes of baking.
How long is the total baking time?
The total baking time is 30 minutes: 20 minutes covered and 10 minutes uncovered.
When do I add the final layer of cheese?
Add the remaining mozzarella and parmesan after the initial 20 minutes of baking when the foil is removed.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 320 calories.
What is the protein content of this dish?
This recipe provides 20g of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 15g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in the baked ziti?
There are 24g of carbohydrates per serving.
What side dishes are recommended?
It is recommended to serve this dish with a side salad or garlic bread.
Can this dish be prepared in advance?
Yes, you can prepare this dish ahead of time and bake it when you are ready to serve.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe calls for 2 minced garlic cloves.
How much onion should be prepared?
You need 1 cup of chopped onion.
What is the final texture of the cheese on top?
The cheese should be bubbly and golden brown after the final 10 minutes of baking.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is categorized as an easy recipe suitable for weeknight meals.
What type of cuisine is this?
This recipe is a part of Italian cuisine.
How many total ingredients are listed in the recipe?
There are 9 main ingredients in this recipe.
Should I let the dish cool before serving?
Yes, let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes after removing it from the oven to allow it to set.
What size package of ziti pasta is needed?
The recipe requires one 16-ounce package of ziti pasta.