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Cheesy Baked Ziti with Savory Meat Sauce

Looking for a satisfying and delicious meal that the whole family will love? Look no further than this Cheesy Baked Ziti with Savory Meat Sauce recipe! This classic Italian dish features tender penne pasta, flavorful meat sauce, and plenty of gooey melted mozzarella cheese. It's a hearty and filling meal that's perfect for dinner any night of the week.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb 454 g ground beef
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup 120 g diced tomatoes
  • 6 oz 170 g can tomato paste
  • 1 cup 240 ml water
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 3 cups 720 g cooked penne pasta
  • 2 1/2 cups 280 g shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tsp parsley flakes optional

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C).
  2. Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water.
  3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook until browned, then drain the fat.
  4. Add minced garlic and diced tomatoes to the skillet. Stir in the tomato paste and water until well combined.
  5. Sprinkle in sugar and stir. Let the sauce cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.
  6. Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the meat sauce. Stir in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese until well combined.
  7. Transfer the mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
  8. Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Sprinkle with parsley flakes (optional) and let the ziti sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

If you prefer a spicier meat sauce, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning.
You can use any type of pasta you like in this recipe, but penne works best as it holds onto the sauce well.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.