Go Back
–+ servings
Heavenly Baked Ziti: A Cozy Culinary Dream Come True

Heavenly Baked Ziti

Heavenly Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian delight sure to impress! A cozy culinary dream come true.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 portions
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Meat & Cheese
  • 1 lb Ground Meat
  • 1 lb Ground Italian Sausage
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 15 oz Ricotta Cheese
  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded
Vegetables & Sauces
  • 1 cup Red Pepper diced
  • 1 cup Green Pepper diced
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes
  • 16 oz Pasta Sauce
Pasta & Seasonings
  • 1 lb Ziti Pasta uncooked
  • 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1 tbsp Sugar
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
Garnish
  • 1 cup Basil fresh, for garnish

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • baking dish
  • mixing bowl

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large skillet, brown the ground meat and Italian sausage over medium heat until cooked through.
  3. Add the diced red and green peppers, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender.
  4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, pasta sauce, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooked meat sauce, heavy cream, ziti pasta, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
  6. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
  7. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  8. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portionCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 25gFat: 20g

Notes

This dish can be customized by using different meats or adding vegetables to enhance nutrition. Perfect for family gatherings.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!