Pioneer Woman Baked Ziti

Pioneer Woman Baked Ziti is made with Italian sausage, ground beef, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and ziti pasta. This hearty ground beef baked ziti recipe creates a delicious dinner that takes about 1 hour to prepare and can serve up to 2 people.

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb. Italian sausage
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 (28-oz.) can whole tomatoes, with juice
• 2 (14.5-oz.) cans of tomato sauce or marinara sauce
• 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• 16 oz. ziti or mostaccioli, cooked until just under al dente
• 15 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 1/2 lb. mozzarella cheese, grated (divided)
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• Freshly chopped parsley

How To Make This Baked Ziti:

1. Sauté onions and garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
2. Brown sausage and beef: Add the Italian sausage and ground beef to the pot. Cook until the meat is browned, then drain excess fat, leaving a little for flavor.
3. Simmer the sauce: Add the whole tomatoes with their juice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir and let simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. After simmering, remove 3 to 4 cups of the sauce and set aside to cool.
4. Prepare the cheese mixture: In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of grated mozzarella, parmesan cheese, egg, salt, and pepper. Stir lightly—just enough to combine.
5. Toss pasta with cheese and sauce: Drain the cooked pasta and rinse it with cool water to stop further cooking. Add the pasta to the bowl with the cheese mixture, tossing gently to combine. Add the cooled meat sauce and mix gently.
6. Assemble the casserole: In a large casserole dish, layer half of the pasta mixture. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the top, followed by half of the remaining mozzarella. Repeat with another layer of pasta, sauce, and mozzarella.
7. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the ziti for about 20 minutes, or until it is bubbling. Once baked, remove it from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes.
8. Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the baked ziti before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t cook the pasta too much: Make sure the pasta is a little firm because it will cook more in the oven.
• Cool the sauce first: Let the sauce cool before you mix it with the cheese and pasta, so the cheese doesn’t melt too fast.
• Layer the dish right: Spread the cheese and sauce evenly so you get all the flavors in every bite.
• Use fresh mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella melts better and makes the dish creamier than using store-bought shredded cheese.
• Let the baked ziti sit: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking so the layers settle and it’s easier to serve.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

Storing in the Fridge: Let the baked ziti cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. It can be kept in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing: To freeze, store the ziti in an airtight, freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating: For the best results, reheat the baked ziti in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), cover the dish with foil to prevent it from drying out, and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 667
• Fat: 39 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 138 mg
• Sodium: 1164 mg
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 7 g
• Protein: 36 g

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Beef Enchilada Casserole
• Roast Beef Sandwiches
• Slow Cooker Beef Stew
• Beef And Pepper Stir Fry