Giada's Baked Ziti with Meatballs

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Giada's Baked Ziti with Meatballs, a hearty Italian-inspired dish that's perfect for family dinners or gatherings. This recipe layers tender ziti pasta with a rich, homemade meat sauce featuring flavorful ground beef and Italian sausage, all infused with aromatic garlic, onions, and herbs. Creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan cheeses create a luscious filling, while a golden, bubbly cheese topping adds the perfect finishing touch. Ready in just over an hour, this baked ziti delivers all the satisfying flavors of a classic Italian-American meal in a cozy casserole form. Serve it warm, garnished with fresh parsley, for a dish that's guaranteed to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 16 ounces ziti pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.75 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.

Step 3

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Remove meat from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Return the cooked meat to the skillet with the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Let it simmer for 5 more minutes, then remove from heat.

Step 7

In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, 0.5 cup of Parmesan cheese, egg, and chopped parsley.

Step 8

To assemble, spread a small amount of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta mixture on top, followed by half of the remaining meat sauce.

Step 9

Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce.

Step 10

Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 0.25 cup of Parmesan cheese.

Step 11

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 12

Allow the baked ziti to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley if desired and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2766.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5306.8

Total Fat 278.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 116.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.9g
Cholesterol 1093.5mg	0%
Sodium 5667.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 432.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 41.0g	0%
Total Sugars 53.1g
Protein 301.8g	0%

Vitamin D 144.5IU	0%
Calcium 3817.2mg	0%
Iron 39.0mg	0%
Potassium 4919.2mg	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: 46.0%

Protein: 22.2%

Carbs: 31.8%