Baked Ziti with Thick Rich Meat Sauce

Dive into comfort food heaven with this Baked Ziti with Thick Rich Meat Sauce, a hearty Italian-American classic that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for the week. This recipe features tender ziti pasta tossed in a robust meat sauce made with a savory blend of ground beef, Italian sausage, and aromatic spices like oregano and basil. Layered with creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and tangy parmesan, each bite delivers the perfect balance of cheesy, meaty, and saucy goodness. Finished with a golden, bubbling top and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this baked ziti is not just a meal—it’s a hearty, satisfying experience. Easy to prepare in under an hour, it’s ideal for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or potluck parties.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz ziti pasta
• 1 lb ground beef
• 0.5 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until it is fully browned. Drain excess fat, if necessary.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with half of the meat sauce. Stir until evenly coated.

Step 7

In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Layer half of the ziti mixture on top of the sauce.

Step 8

Spread the ricotta cheese over the ziti, followed by 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese.

Step 9

Add another layer of ziti mixture, followed by the remaining meat sauce. Top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Step 10

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.

Step 12

Remove from the oven and let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2634.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5040.2

Total Fat 262.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 109.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 846.7mg	0%
Sodium 7868.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 435.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.2g	0%
Total Sugars 60.6g
Protein 269.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3423.4mg	0%
Iron 35.3mg	0%
Potassium 4248.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.5%

Protein: 20.8%

Carbs: 33.6%