Baked Ziti With Mini Meatballs Recipe

Name: Baked Ziti With Mini Meatballs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb ziti pasta; 1 (26 ounce) jar pasta sauce; 15 ounces crushed tomatoes with basil; 1 (15 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese; 12 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded; 2 large eggs; 1/2 lb lean ground meat; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 cup chopped onion; 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs; 2 teaspoons garlic salt; 1 teaspoon basil; 1 teaspoon parsley; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese

Servings: persons

1 lb ziti pasta
1 (26 ounce) jar pasta sauce
15 ounces crushed tomatoes with basil
1 (15 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
12 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 large eggs
1/2 lb lean ground meat
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon parsley
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese

1
.1. Cook ziti until al dente and then rinse to cool and set aside.
2
2. Mix ground meat, onion, bread crumbs, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1 egg and 1/2 tsp basil. Form into small meatballs ( a little less than a walnut). Then cook the meatballs in the olive oil until the meatballs are browned and cooked through. Drain off the fat then set aside.
3
3. Mix the ricotta, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1/2 tsp basil, 1/2 tsp parsley, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/2 of mozzarella and 1 egg together. Set aside. Then mix the ricotta mixture with the ziti and set aside again.
4
4. Mix the jar of pasta sauce and the basil crushed tomatoes together then set aside.
5
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
6
6. Assemble: 1/3 of the sauce- followed by 1/2 of the ziti/ricotta/mozzarella-followed by the meatballs- then -- 1/3 sauce - followed by the rest of the ziti/ricotta/mozzarella mix- followed by the last 1/3 of the sauce followed by the rest of the mozzarella and sprinkled with the parmesan cheese.
7
7. Bake, loosely covered with foil for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 20-30 minutes. Let sit at least 10 minutes before serving.

1012

kcal

Calories

Fat

123

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 15 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 lb ziti pasta, 1 (26 ounce) jar pasta sauce, 15 ounces crushed tomatoes with basil, 1 (15 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese, and more.

Yes, Baked Ziti With Mini Meatballs falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Baked Ziti With Mini Meatballs

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions