Hm, hm, hm, what to make for dinner? Baked ziti always hits the spot… but what about Baked Ziti & Meatballs? You could use a little extra protein to add a little more pep to your step, right?! And who doesn’t love their bouncy ziti noodles tossed with a bit of meaty, juicy meatballs! Tossed with tangy pasta sauce and baked with melty cheese on top, Baked Ziti & Meatballs is what’s for dinner tonight!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus 2 cups shredded parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ziti pasta, cooked
- 48 ounces pasta sauce
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, the breadcrumbs, the onion, the garlic powder, 1/2 cup of the grated parmesan, 1 teaspoon of the Italian seasoning, the salt, and the pepper.
Step 3 –Add 1 of the beaten eggs to the beef mixture and use your hands to fully combine.
Step 4 –Use a 1-1/2-inch scooper to scoop out the beef mixture and then use your hands to roll them into balls.
Step 5 –In a skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil and the meatballs and cook until they are browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side.
Step 6 –Use a slotted spoon to transfer the meatballs to a plate covered with foil to keep them warm.
Step 7 –In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions.
Step 8 –Spread a thin layer of 1/4 of the pasta sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 9 –Top the sauce with 1/2 of the ziti, 1/4 of the sauce, 1/2 of the mozzarella, and 1/2 of the ricotta.
Step 10 –Repeat the layers with 1/4 of the sauce, the remaining ziti, the remaining mozzarella, and the remaining ricotta, ensuring there is enough room remaining for the meatballs.
Step 11 –Place the meatballs on top of the ricotta and press them down into the pasta.
Step 12 –Drizzle the meatballs with the remaining sauce.
Step 13 –Sprinkle the sauce with the remaining Italian seasoning and the remaining shredded parmesan cheese.
Step 14 –Bake the meatball mixture until they are golden-brown and the cheese has melted, about 45 minutes.
Step 15 –Serve.
