Last week I scored a great deal on pasta and wound up with several boxes of pasta that I pretty much got for free. I always try to use what I have in stock at home to save on groceries as much as possible. So this past weekend my husband and I made some delicious Baked Ziti {Lasagna Style} along with some extra to freeze for future meals.
This recipe is very similar to how I make my lasagna, the only difference is the pasta. It’s super easy to make and a great freezer meal.
Baked Ziti {Lasagna Style}
Ingredients
16 oz box of Ziti
1 lb. of Ground Meat (I used ground turkey)
1 (24 oz) Jar of Spaghetti Sauce
8 oz of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
12 oz of Ricotta Cheese
1 1/2 Tbsp. of Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 egg
Italian Seasoning
Instructions
1. Cook Ziti per box directions. Season and brown ground meat (I used salt, pepper and Italian seasoning). Add 1/4 of the spaghetti sauce to the meat once it’s browned and stir. Set aside.
2. Combine ricotta cheese, egg and grated parmesan cheese in bowl. Mix well and add italian seasoning. Sorry I didn’t measure the seasoning, but added enough that it was visible in the mixture.
3. Spread spaghetti sauce on bottom of 13×9 baking dish.
4. Layer with half of the pasta.
5. Next, layer with half of the meat and spread half of the remaining sauce over the meat.
6. Layer with half of the ricotta cheese mixture.
7. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese and repeat steps 4-7.
8. Bake at 400 degrees for 35-45 (will depend on your oven) until it’s bubbling. Remove and let it sit for 5-7 minutes before serving.
For a freeze meal, simply follow all of the steps except for the last one. Enjoy!
- 16 oz box of Ziti
- 1 lb. of Ground Meat (I used turkey)
- 1 (24 oz) Jar of Spaghetti Sauce
- 8 oz of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 12 oz of Ricotta Cheese
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. of Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 egg
- Italian Seasoning
- Cook Ziti per box directions. Season and brown ground meat (I used salt, pepper and Italian seasoning). Add 1/4 of the spaghetti sauce to the meat once it’s browned and stir. Set aside.
- Combine ricotta cheese, egg and grated parmesan cheese in bowl. Mix well and add italian seasoning. Sorry I didn’t measure the seasoning, but added enough that it was visible in the mixture.
- Spread spaghetti sauce on bottom of 13×9 baking dish.
- Layer with half of the pasta.
- Next, layer with half of the meat and spread half of the remaining sauce over the meat.
- Layer with half of the ricotta cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese and repeat steps 4-7.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 35-45 (will depend on your oven) until it’s bubbling. Remove and let it sit for 5-7 minutes before serving.
I absolutely love baked zitti. It’s so easy to make.
Easy is the best part! 🙂 By the way checked out your site and love your recipes! You’re on a whole different level. 🙂
Aww, thank you so much. So sweet of you to say.
You’re very welcome. 🙂
This looks way easier than fussing with lasagna noodles, and so delicious! I can’t wait to try it.
Sooo much easier Jenni. That’s why I love it, although I have been known to use no-bake lasagna noodles. 😉
omg – this looks AMAZING!!! I’ve pinned it. I think I need to make it next week. 🙂
Thank you Andrea! Let me know how it turns out!
looks delicious! I love lasagna, never thought of making it with a different kind of noodle
I love it too, but this is so much easier!
Stopping by from SITS. I love Baked Ziti! This looks delish.
Thanks for visiting Jennifer! I love it too. Pasta is my downfall. 🙂