Quick and Easy Baked Ziti

The Back Story of My Baked Ziti

One of my favorite dishes is an authentic Italian baked ziti. Omg it takes me back to my childhood in
Long Island, New York. I remember every now and then my mother would take my sisters and I to this little
Italian restaurant. We use to order to baked ziti….(excuse me while I reminisce). It used to come in a foil bowl with a paper lid and when you lifted the lid the gooey white and yellow cheese just would stick to the paper and the aroma oh my gosh...!! ‘Quick and Easy Baked Ziti.’

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Ingredients Needed:

• 1 (16 oz.) box of ziti pasta
• 1 pound of ground beef
• 2bsp of olive oil
• 1/2 Diced Green Pepper
• 1/2 Diced Red Pepper
• 1/2 Diced Yellow Onion
• 2 (24 ounces) of Tomato sauce(Ragu or Rego Meat Flavored does well)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of basil, divided
• 4 tbsp of ricotta cheese
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp of season all seasoning
• 1 pound of mozzarella cheese shredded
• 2 tbsp of parmesan cheese
• 1 large aluminum lasagna pan

Directions

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Ready In: 1 Hour
8 servings 696 calories

1.Heat oven to 400 degrees F

2. Cook pasta for 12 minutes or until desired tenderness (Do not overcook, mushy noodles is a no no)

3. Drain the pasta and set it to the side

4. Heat large skillet.

5.Coat with olive oil, and heat oil. Add ground beef and cook until brown. Use diced onions, green and red peppers. (This is optional,but you can season to your liking.)

6. Season meat and peppers with Italian Season and Season all

7. Add 1 cup (12 oz) of the tomato sauce to the meat and spices. Stir until all the meat is coated.

8. Pour the drained pasta into a lasagna pan. Add the final one cup of tomato sauce to the pasta. Stir until all the pasta is coated with sauce.

9. Pour the tomato covered ground beef and spices into the aluminum lasagna pan.

10. Add 1 cup of mozzarella cheese onto the pasta dish. Add 1 tbsp of ricotta cheese to each side of the lasagna pan. (It’s ok the ricotta cheese will move from each corner). Stir it all evenly together.

12. Next, Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta dish.

13. Finally, Sprinkle all the parmesan on top.

14. Lastly, add basil to the top layer of cheeses (sprinkle lightly and evenly)

15.Bake in the heated oven for 40 minutes.

17. Let it cool. Serve as desired.

Related Post: Check out this twist on baked ziti recipe here

How To Store Baked Ziti?

This Italian dish is great for leftovers for anyone in the family. You can section chunks off and freeze it.

This food hack will save this Quick and Easy Baked Ziti pasta dish for up to 2 months. If you don’t freeze your food this dish will stay good for 3 to 5 days in an airtight container or resealable bags.

Products Used To Complete This Dish

See these links to my recommended cooking products that I use for this baked ziti dish and my overall kitchen maintenance.

Non-Stick Skillet

If you are like me you hate for your food to stick to the pan. Save the scrubbing and invest in this skillet.

Air Tight Containers

These containers will keep this quick and easy baked ziti meal safe for leftovers. This is also great for other meals and other food storage like cereal.

Clear Pasta Containers

If you want to add some organization to your kitchen storage in a chic way these glass containers are to go to. You can store everything from pasta, rice, beans, cereal, and more.

Tip: You can add colored food to these jars to add a pop of color to your kitchen. For example, colored red beans, or fruit loops. Ha! You get the point.

Alexa Echo

If you haven’t hopped on the bandwagon to the Alexa. This would be a good time to do so. She helps with like ‘everything’. This Echo Show can easily be set in the kitchen. You can use this device hands-free and play your favorite music while cooking or watch how to cook a new meal step by step.

Related Post: Organize your kitchen with these amazing hacks

What is your favorite dish that you love to prepare for your family? 🙂