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Meat Lovers Baked Ziti Recipe

Meat Lovers Baked Ziti


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  • Author: Samantha Jones
  • Total Time: 60
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Halal

Description

This hearty Meat Lovers Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American casserole featuring tender ziti pasta tossed in a rich, savory sauce made from a blend of lean ground beef and ground turkey. Layered with creamy ricotta and stretchy mozzarella, this meal is baked until golden and bubbling. It is the perfect centerpiece for a family gathering, providing a satisfying, protein-packed dining experience without the use of pork or alcohol, ensuring it fits your dietary needs perfectly.


Ingredients

Scale

16 oz Ziti Pasta
1 lb Ground Beef (85/15 ratio)
1 lb Ground Turkey
48 oz Marinara Sauce
15 oz Ricotta Cheese
3 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 tbsp Italian Seasoning


Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until just barely al dente, usually two minutes less than package instructions.
Brown the ground beef and ground turkey in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no pink remains.
Add the minced garlic to the meat mixture and sauté for one minute until fragrant.
Stir the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning into the skillet, simmering for five minutes.
Drain the ziti and return it to the pot, tossing with one cup of the meat sauce.
Spread a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
Layer half of the ziti, half of the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, and half of the remaining meat sauce.
Repeat layers with the remaining pasta, ricotta, meat sauce, and mozzarella.
Top with the grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Notes

Substitute ziti with penne if preferred. For best results, use whole milk ricotta. Ensure you do not overcook the pasta initially so it stays firm during the oven bake.

  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 40
  • Category: Lunch
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 950mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg