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A closeup image of a Slice of the Best Baked Ziti Ever with a fork.
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4.97 from 80 votes

Best Baked Ziti Ever

This is seriously the Best Baked Ziti Ever. You're going to love the homemade meat sauce and ricotta and cream cheese topping!
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Baked Ziti
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Rachel Farnsworth

Ingredients

Meat Sauce

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium white onion diced
  • 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
  • 5 teaspoons minced garlic about 5 cloves
  • 1 (6 ounce can) tomato paste
  • 1 (28 ounce can) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce can) tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Baked Ziti

  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 8 ounces cream cheese , softened
  • 8 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into a large, deep skillet, over medium-high heat. Add in 1 pound ground beef and brown, 5 minutes. Add in 1 medium white onion (diced) and 8 ounces sliced mushrooms (optional). Saute for 5 to 7 minutes until onions are soft and translucent, and ground beef is cooked through.
  • Add in 5 teaspoons minced garlic and 1 (6 ounce can) tomato paste and toast for 2 minutes. Pour in 1 (28 ounce can) crushed tomatoes and 1 (15 ounce can) tomato sauce. Stir in 1 tablespoon dried basil, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until pasta is ready.
  • Cook 1 pound ziti pasta in boiling water, according to package directions. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Prepare the cheese topping in a small mixing bowl by combining 8 ounces cream cheese, 8 ounces ricotta cheese, and 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Mix together until smooth.
  • Once the pasta is done, drain and add it into the meat sauce and stir to combine. Pour it into a lightly greased 9x13-inch pan. Spread cheese mixture on top of the pasta.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot.

Video

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Nutrition

Calories: 657kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 1026mg | Potassium: 1244mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1304IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 285mg | Iron: 6mg
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