How To Make Baked Ziti With Meat Sauce | I Heart Recipes

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat while maintaining flavor.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grana padano

Nutritional yeast is a dairy-free alternative, while grana padano is a less expensive cheese.

canned tomatoes

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: crushed tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes can be healthier, while crushed tomatoes are often cheaper.

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Cook ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente; drain and set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add ground beef to the skillet; cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

Stir in canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes; simmer for 15 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine cooked ziti, meat sauce, and beaten egg; mix well.

Spread half of the ziti mixture in a greased baking dish; top with half of the mozzarella cheese.

Layer the remaining ziti mixture and top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes; remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens