Crowd-Pleasing Baked Ziti Recipe

Name: Crowd-Pleasing Baked Ziti
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 pound ground beef; 1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage; 1 medium onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes; 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce; 1 bay leaf; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1 package (16 ounces) ziti or small tube pasta; 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 cup ricotta cheese

Servings: persons

1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 package (16 ounces) ziti or small tube pasta
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese

1
In a large saucepan, cook the beef, sausage, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, basil, sugar, salt, pepper flakes and pepper.
2
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Uncover; simmer 15-30 minutes longer or until sauce reaches desired thickness. Discard bay leaf. Cool.
3
Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup sauce mixture, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Romano cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and pasta.
4
Spread 1-1/2 cups sauce mixture into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Dot with 1/2 cup ricotta cheese. Top with pasta mixture. Pour remaining sauce mixture over the top. Dot with remaining ricotta cheese. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella, Romano and Parmesan cheeses.
5
Cover and bake at 350u00b0 for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 20-25 minutes longer or until bubbly.

824

kcal

Calories

Fat

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

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

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 18 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1/2 pound ground beef, 1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage, 1 medium onion, chopped, 2 garlic cloves, minced, and more.

Yes, Crowd-Pleasing Baked Ziti falls under the Pasta & Noodles 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!

Crowd-Pleasing Baked Ziti

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions