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Easy Baked Ziti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.3 from 298 reviews

This easy baked ziti recipe combines tender pasta with savory meat sauce and creamy alfredo, topped with melted mozzarella and fresh basil for a comforting Italian-inspired meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 16 oz pasta (ziti or penne)
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • Minced onion
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 24 oz marinara sauce + spices below
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 15 oz alfredo sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • Fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Boil pasta: In a pot large enough for the pasta, boil water and add salt.
  2. Cook pasta: Cook your ziti (or penne) until 2 minutes before the package says al dente.
  3. Drain pasta: Strain, rinse with cold water, strain again, and set aside. This will keep it from cooking more.
  4. Cook beef: While the pasta is cooking, in a high rimmed pan, add the ground beef and minced onion, and season with salt and pepper.
  5. Brown beef: Break apart into pieces and cook fully through.
  6. Make meat sauce: If you prefer, pour out the grease and then add your favorite pasta sauce. I prefer to add more seasoning (garlic powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, chili flakes), estimated measurements above! Give it a good stir and get ready to build!
  7. Mix pasta and alfredo: In the pot with your cooked pasta, pour in your favorite alfredo sauce and give it a good mix.
  8. Assemble dish: In a greased baking dish, spread the Alfredo-coated pasta, add the meat sauce over the top, covering the pasta completely, and then top with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
  9. Bake: Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
  10. Add basil: Sprinkle on the freshly cut basil.
  11. Cool and serve: Let cool for a few minutes and eat!
  12. Enjoy: Enjoy!

Keywords: easy baked ziti, baked pasta recipe, Italian baked ziti, mozzarella baked pasta, creamy baked ziti

Find it online: http://foodarohub.com/easy-baked-ziti-recipe/