Ingredients for Baked Ziti With Mini Meatballs
- Ziti Pasta
- Pasta Sauce
- Tomatoes With Basil
- Part Skim Ricotta Cheese
- Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese
- Eggs
- Lean Ground Meat
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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How to Make Baked Ziti With Mini Meatballs
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook 1 pound of ziti until al dente. Rinse with cold water and set aside.
- In a large bowl, gently mix together 1 pound ground beef, 1/2 cup finely chopped onion, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 large egg, and 1/2 teaspoon dried basil. If the mixture is too soft, add more bread crumbs; if too stiff, add a tablespoon of water at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Roll the meat mixture into small meatballs (approximately 1 inch in diameter).
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, ensuring they are cooked through. Drain excess grease and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine 15 ounces ricotta cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1 large egg. Mix well.
- Add the cooked ziti to the ricotta mixture and stir gently to combine.
- In a separate bowl, combine one 24-ounce jar of your favorite pasta sauce with one 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes (use slightly less than the full can). Set aside.
- Lightly grease a 9x13 inch lasagna pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Layer 1/3 of the sauce in the prepared pan, followed by half of the ziti and ricotta mixture. Top with all the meatballs.
- Add another 1/3 of the sauce, followed by the remaining ziti and ricotta mixture.
- Pour the remaining 1/3 of the sauce over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20-30 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through.
- Let the baked ziti stand for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)
Sodium
38 g
Sugar
49g
Fat
44g
Carbs
22g
