Homemade Baked Ziti
Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 1 hour | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Make and share this delightful Homemade Baked Ziti recipe that hails from the heart of lovewithrecipes.com. This European-inspired dish, infused with the comforting aromas of ground beef, sausage, and a medley of spices, promises a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds singing with joy. With an aggregated rating of 5 stars from 2 reviews, this recipe is a proven crowd-pleaser that is both satisfying and flavorful.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 679.4
- Fat Content: 32.5g
- Saturated Fat Content: 12.8g
- Cholesterol Content: 93.8mg
- Sodium Content: 1524.4mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 62.6g
- Fiber Content: 5.8g
- Sugar Content: 11.6g
- Protein Content: 35g
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Port. Sausage
- 1 onion
- 1 green pepper
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 cup mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 2 bay leaves
- Fresh Parmesan cheese (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- Salt (to taste)
- Canola oil (if needed)
Instructions:
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Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to a toasty 350°F.
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Sauce Preparation: In separate frying pans, brown the ground beef and Port. Sausage over medium heat. Ensure the beef is in a large pan, drain excess fat. Pat dry the sausage to remove grease. Add pepper to beef, approximately 1 tablespoon. Mix in 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of soy sauce for that extra zing; salt is an alternative.
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Onion and Garlic Magic: If you have a Cuisinart, chunk the onion and garlic, shred them, and toss them in. Sliced bits work well too. Add them to the meat, let it cook down (covered) until the onion turns slightly clear. Consider adding a bit of oil based on the meat’s fat content.
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Tomato Paste and Sauce Fusion: Add tomato paste, mix it in. Follow up with the sauce, ensuring a thorough mix. Sprinkle generous amounts of oregano and Italian seasoning. Go easy on the basil. Toss in the bay leaves. Let it simmer. Stir occasionally and let it simmer longer to intensify those flavors.
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Prepare Ziti: While the sauce simmers, get your water boiling for the ziti. Add salt and oil to the water for quicker boiling and to prevent ziti sticking. Throw in the green pepper, sausage, and mushrooms into the sauce. Stir in 4 or 5 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese.
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Assemble Ziti: When the ziti is done, drain them and transfer to a large rectangular Pyrex. Pour the sauce over the ziti, ensuring an even mix. Lay sliced mozzarella over the ziti like shingles on a roof. Sprinkle over some more Parmesan, approximately a couple of tablespoons.
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Bake to Perfection: Slide the assembled masterpiece into the preheated oven. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour, allowing the cheeses to melt, the sauce to thicken, and the flavors to meld into a glorious symphony of taste.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once baked to perfection, take your Homemade Baked Ziti out of the oven, and savor the moment. Serve it up hot, and watch as your friends and family indulge in a dish that’s not just a meal but a celebration of flavors and togetherness. 🍝🧀🍅
