Our Baked Ziti for the patients!

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Love baked ziti? We sure do! In fact, I made a pan of this last weekend when my grandfather returned home from the hospital and while my mom was still recuperating from her surgery. I think we ate this for 3 days!

Note, if you choose to use fresh basil paste, mix in with ricotta mixture. Otherwise, simply add basil to the top once finished.

Baked Ziti

how to make baked ziti that is affordable and delicious

Print Instructions

Supply List

• 1 box ziti
• 1 ricotta cheese 14.5 ounce
• 1 can diced tomatoes 14 ounce I used basil/garlic/onion
• 1 jar tomato sauce I used Classico tomato basil
• 1 egg
• 4 tablespoons crushed garlic
• 2 lbs lean ground beef I used 95% lean
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 bag shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt pepper and fresh basil paste (2 tbsp)

Instructions : Step by Step

• Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons garlic on med/low heat. Once garlic is slightly browned, add ground beef and cook until browned
• Mix ricotta, egg, 2 tablespoons basil paste, 2 tablespoons garlic, 1/2 bag of shredded mozzarella and canned diced tomatoes together in a separate dish
• Cook pasta according to directions
• Once the past and ground beef is browned, add drained pasta to the skillet dish with ground beef and gently mix.
• Now pour your ricotta/tomato mixture in the skillet as well and mix all three together
• Once everything is mixed together in the skillet, pour into a 9×13 deep dish baking pan
• Season with salt and pepper
• Pour jar of tomato sauce over the entire top spreading evenly
• Sprinkle remaining mozzarella across the top
• Bake uncovered 375 degrees
• 40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling on sides

Servings: 6

Author: Jessica Bruno

Cost: under $25

Serves 10

Baked Ziti is the perfect meal if you are feeding many people or simply need left overs for a couple days. It’s quick and easy and always delicious. If you prefer a lasagna instead, be sure to check out our easy crockpot lasagna recipe.

Meet Jessica

What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.