Southwest Baked Ziti

Get ready to elevate your pasta night with this Southwest Baked Ziti, a bold fusion of Italian comfort food and zesty Southwestern flavors. Packed with tender ziti pasta, seasoned ground beef or turkey, black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, sweet corn, and a kick of taco seasoning, this hearty casserole is layered with gooey melted Mexican blend cheese for a dish that’s as satisfying as it is flavorful. Perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners, this recipe comes together in just under an hour and delivers six generous servings. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a vibrant finish, and enjoy the perfect balance of creamy, smoky, and spicy in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning
• 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

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 in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook until browned, breaking up the meat with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4

Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the black beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes (including juices), frozen corn, tomato sauce, taco seasoning, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and let simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with the meat and vegetable mixture. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.

Step 7

Transfer half of the ziti mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over the top. Add the remaining ziti mixture and top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.

Step 8

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2497.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4190.1

Total Fat 197.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 81.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 562.9mg	0%
Sodium 8253.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 413.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 61.3g	0%
Total Sugars 41.2g
Protein 204.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2067.0mg	0%
Iron 38.8mg	0%
Potassium 3629.3mg	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: 41.8%

Protein: 19.3%

Carbs: 38.9%