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My mother would make a huge pan of baked ziti when I was child and we would eat off it for days. I always preferred baked ziti over spaghetti because I’m a sucker for pasta that is baked with cheese. Baked ziti is easier to make than a traditional lasagna and still gives you a spaghetti sauce vibe due to the meat sauce that I make for it. My mom introduced me to making this dish, and like all of the things I make, I remixed it and made it my own. This will definitely be a fan favorite in your house. It taste delicious and is easy to make. As always please let me know what you think about the recipe and enjoy!

Serves 8-10

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion, minced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Adobo all purpose seasoning
  • 1/8 teaspoon Ground Black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Oregano
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 3 jars traditional pasta sauce (around 24 ounces each)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14-16 ounces)
  • 24 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 6-8 ounces shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 box of ziti pasta noodles (16 ounces)
  • 1 ounce virgin olive oil
  • Non stick spray
  • parsley, minced (to garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare ziti noodles according to the directions on the box “Al dente” style

2. Drain the noodles, pour 1 tablespoon olive oil on them mix and set aside

3. Place ground beef in a large pot and season generously with adobo, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano

4.Add onions and bell peppers and brown the beef mixture until fully cooked through (there should be no pink at all remaining once fully cooked)

5. Drain the oil off the ground beef and return it to the pot

6. Add in garlic and balsamic vinegar and sauté for 3-4 minutes on medium high heat

7. Add can of diced tomatoes and jars of the pasta sauce, mix well and allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes on medium heat (taste your sauce and adjust seasoning to your taste if needed)

8. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and spray a large baking dish with non stick spray

9. Add a layer of noodles to cover the bottom of the pan

10. Add a layer of the meat sauce

11. Add 6 large dollops of ricotta cheese

13. Sprinkle half of the Parmesan cheese

14. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese

15. Add a final layer of noodles

16. Pour the remaining meat sauce

17. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheese

18. Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly

19. Remove from oven and let it sit for 5 minutes

20. Serve and enjoy!