Dutch Oven Baked Ziti in cast iron really brings the flavor out for this beautiful dish.
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Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce
Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce is the ultimate comfort food your whole family will love. Made in a Dutch oven with layers of pasta, meat, and gooey cheese, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for weeknight dinners and easy to make!
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 1013kcal
Cost: $35
Equipment
- 12" cast iron skillet
- 5 quart Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 lb ground beef
- 28 oz whole tomatoes with juice
- 29 oz tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- 16 oz ziti cooked until not quite al dente
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ lb Mozzarella cheese shredded
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 egg
- fresh minced parsley
Instructions
- In large skillet, saute onions and garlic in olive oil over medium heat for several minutes until soft. Add Italian sausage and ground beef to skillet and brown meat. Drain most of fat, retaining some for flavor and moisture.
- Add tomatoes with their juice, tomato sauce or marinara, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. Stir and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove 3 to 4 cups of the sauce to cool.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of the grated mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and salt and pepper. Stir mixture a few times, not mixing completely.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process and to cool it down. Pour noodles into the cheese mixture and toss to slightly combine, leaving large lumps. Add the 3-4 cups cooled meat sauce and toss to combine.
- Add half the pasta mixture to a large 5 quart Dutch Oven. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the top, then top with half the remaining mozzarella cheese. Repeat with another layer of the pasta mixture, sauce, and mozzarella.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbling. Remove from oven, sprinkle with parsley, and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Boost the nutrition of your baked ziti with veggies like spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini. Sauté them with the meat for added flavor, or layer them in with the cheese mixture for a veggie-packed twist!
- Let your baked ziti rest for a few minutes after baking to help the layers set, make serving easier, and keep each portion perfectly intact.
- Cook your pasta al dente before mixing it with the sauce. This ensures it won’t get mushy as it finishes baking in the oven.
Nutrition
Calories: 1013kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 55g | Fat: 62g | Saturated Fat: 28g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 24g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 202mg | Sodium: 1724mg | Potassium: 1166mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2208IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 686mg | Iron: 5mg
Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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Pete
Made this today with a few changes. (Added finely chopped carrots, celery, mushrooms, and a bell pepper. Mixed in 1 lb of blanched spinach and fresh basil with the ricotta.) Also mixed in some Pecorino for extra rich flavor. Came out smooth, savory, and extra bubbly. Thanks for sharing!
Ned Adams
So glad you enjoyed! Those changes sound amazing!
Travis
I have mentioned this in other comments. My wife has some Italian heritage so she is all about trying italian dishes. We can't wait to try this one.