Days are hectic at the Smith house. We don’t stop moving until dinner is already on our minds. But, that doesn’t stop us from making a hot family dinner as often as possible. This Meatball and Ziti Bake is a perfect way to make sure you fill your family’s tummy without having to spend hours in the kitchen.
Johnsonville® meatballs are the best tasting, highest quality frozen meatballs.
That’s a brave claim! But, I think if you take one taste you’ll …well, you won’t say much because you’ll be too busy reaching for another meatball.
Tasty, juicy and packed with spices – I was surprised just how much I enjoyed the flavor. I admit…I often put a few in the oven and eat them by themselves. Guilty as charged.
If you love meatball dishes, but don’t always have time to make them from scratch, try Johnsonville® Meatballs in Classic Italian or Homestyle.
Meatball and Ziti Bake – with Johnsonville®
- 1 lb box Ziti Pasta
- 2 oz cans crushed (seasoned tomatoes, 14.5)
- 1 small can tomato paste
- 1 oz can tomato sauce (12)
- 16 oz skim ricotta cheese
- 1 bag Classic Italian Style Johnsonville® Meatballs
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 3 tbsp Italian Seasoning Mix
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tblsp minced garlic
- 1 tblsp minced dry onion
- 1 bag shredded cheese – Italian Blend or your favorite (Romano (Parmesan, Mozzarella etc))
- Preheat oven to 375°
- Boil pasta and set aside
- In a LARGE sauce pan, combine: canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste with spices, pepper, onion and garlic
- Cook on low heat for approximately 20 minutes, stirring often
- Prebake Johnsonville® meatballs according to package instructions
- Brown and drain ground beef
- Once the meatballs are baked, cut into halves or quarters
- Combine ground beef, meatballs, pasta and sauce mix in sauce pan and remove from heat
- In a large casserole dish, spread out 1/2 of sauce mixture
- For the next layer, use a spoon to scoop Ricotta and drop on top of sauce layer. Do not spread.
- Pour second half of sauce mix over Ricotta layer
- Cover top with shredded cheese
- Bake uncovered at 375° for approximately 20 minutes, until cheese is slightly browned on top
Rebecca Orr says
Baking….I get an A+. Cooking….not so much! But this looks easy enough for me to try for my family. We like pasta dishes and anything with meat. My daughter is 3 and would be devouring the meatballs in a heartbeat! Throw some garlic bread in the oven and you have a warm meal on a cold NY winter night! Thanks for sharing this delicious looking meal Kenda!