Baked Ziti (Easy Recipe)

I’ve included some videos I found relevant and helpful. 😍

Baked ziti is a yummy pasta dish that’s easy to make. You can whip it up in about an hour. This recipe makes 10 servings of cheesy, meaty goodness at just 578 calories each. It’s perfect for family dinners or when you have friends over.

The dish has layers of ziti pasta, ground beef, and lots of cheese. You’ll use provolone, mozzarella, and Parmesan. The sour cream makes it extra creamy. With two jars of spaghetti sauce, it’s saucy and flavorful. Your kitchen will smell amazing while it bakes!

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this tasty baked ziti:

• 1 pound dry ziti pasta
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 jars (26 ounces each) spaghetti sauce
• 6 ounces sliced provolone cheese
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

You’ll also want to have some salt on hand for the pasta water.

This recipe makes about 10 servings, perfect for a family dinner or gathering with friends. The prep time is quick – just 15 minutes. Then it bakes for 45 minutes.

Each serving has about 578 calories. It’s a filling meal that’s sure to satisfy your hunger and warm you up on a cold day.

Remember to grab a 9×13-inch baking dish too. You’ll need it to layer all these yummy ingredients together before popping the ziti in the oven.

Instructions

You’re going to love how easy this baked ziti is to make! Start by boiling a big pot of salted water. Cook your ziti until it’s just tender, about 8 minutes. Drain it and set it aside.

Next, grab a large skillet. Brown the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat. Add the spaghetti sauce and let it simmer for 15 minutes. This lets all those yummy flavors mix together.

While that’s simmering, preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish so nothing sticks.

Now comes the fun layering part! Spread half the cooked ziti in the dish. Top it with:

• Sliced provolone cheese
• Sour cream
• Half the meat sauce
• Remaining ziti
• Shredded mozzarella
• Rest of the meat sauce

Sprinkle some Parmesan on top for extra cheesy goodness.

Pop it in the oven for about 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it’s hot all the way through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Then dig in and enjoy your delicious homemade baked ziti!

Possible Substitutes List

You can make tasty baked ziti even if you don’t have all the ingredients. Here are some swaps you can try:

Pasta:

• Penne
• Rigatoni
• Mostaccioli

These pasta shapes work well because they’re similar to ziti. They’ll hold the sauce nicely.

Cheese:

• Ricotta instead of sour cream
• Cheddar instead of provolone
• Pecorino Romano instead of Parmesan

Changing up the cheeses can give your dish a new flavor twist.

Meat:

• Ground turkey
• Italian sausage
• Vegetarian crumbles

These options can change the taste and make the dish lighter or spicier.

Sauce:

• Homemade tomato sauce
• Vodka sauce
• Alfredo sauce

Switching up the sauce can create a whole new dish!

Remember, cooking is about having fun. Feel free to mix and match these swaps based on what you have or what you like. Your baked ziti will still be yummy!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

You can make this baked ziti recipe more diabetes-friendly with a few simple changes. Use whole grain pasta instead of regular ziti to add fiber and slow down digestion. Pick lean ground turkey or chicken to replace the beef.

Choose low-sodium pasta sauce to cut back on salt. You can also make your own sauce using fresh tomatoes and herbs. Swap full-fat cheeses for reduced-fat versions to lower the saturated fat.

Try these ingredient swaps:

• Whole wheat ziti pasta (1 pound)
• Lean ground turkey (1 pound)
• Low-sodium pasta sauce (2 jars)
• Reduced-fat provolone (6 ounces)
• Greek yogurt (1 1/2 cups)
• Part-skim mozzarella (6 ounces)

Add extra veggies like zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers to boost nutrition and fiber. This helps control blood sugar. You can also use less pasta and more veggies to lower the carb count.

Watch your portion sizes. Aim for about 1 cup per serving instead of larger amounts. Pair your ziti with a big side salad to fill up on low-carb greens.

These tweaks can make your baked ziti more blood sugar-friendly while still tasting great. You’ll get the comfort food flavors you love with better nutrition for diabetes management.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Cook the pasta just until al dente. It will keep cooking in the oven, so you don’t want it too soft.

Try using Italian sausage instead of ground beef for extra flavor. Just remove the casings first.

Add some red pepper flakes to the sauce if you like a bit of heat.

You can prep this dish ahead of time. Assemble everything but don’t bake it. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

To freeze, let the baked ziti cool completely. Wrap it tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until hot.

For a veggie version, swap the meat for sautéed mushrooms and zucchini.

Serve with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.

Don’t forget to let it rest for 5-10 minutes after baking. This helps the cheese set up nicely.