Claire's Baked Ziti

March 19, 2013

135

Delicious baked ziti with beef and cheese! It can easily be adapted to serve a few people or a crowd! I recently served this at a dinner party for 8 people, and it was a big hit! Even the kids loved it! Serve it with hot bread and salad and you have a great meal!

1 box baked ziti
Olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 jar tomato sauce (I used Bertolli Tomato and Basil)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded Italian Blend cheese (this was a blend that had a variety of cheeses, shredded mozzarella works great, too)
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese for the cheese mixture, also 1/2 cup for the topping
1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cook ziti according to box directions. Drain. 2. Brown ground beef in olive oil. Season with minced onion and garlic powder. Drain well. 3, Put ground beef in pot that pasta was cooked in. Pour tomato sauce over the beef and let simmer for about 5-10 minutes. 4. Mix pasta with the ground beef and sauce in the pot. 5. Meanwhile, combine ricotta cheese, Italian blend cheese, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, and Parmesan cheese in a medium sized bowl. Add salt and pepper if desired. 5. Oil a glass dish (13x9) and pour half of the ziti and beef mixture in the dish. 6. Spread the cheese mixture on top. Use a spoon or spatula to make sure the mixture is spread across all of the pasta. 7. Pour the rest of the ziti and beef mixture on top. 8. Top it with grated Parmesan cheese. 9. Bake for 30 minutes. 10. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Nutritions

Calories
430

Sodium
562mg
23% DV

Fat
23g
36% DV

Protein
32g
64% DV

Carbs
15g
5% DV

Fiber
3g
13% DV