Baked Ziti with Meatballs is a comforting dish that combines pasta and creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano cheeses with a simple marinara and tiny meatballs. Baked until bubbly and golden on top, this baked pasta is sure to be a favorite in your home
Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
For the tiny meatballs:
½ pound ground chuck
½ pound ground pork
2 large eggs
¼ cup flat leaf Italian parsley minced
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
3 cloves garlic minced
½ cup Pecorino Romano grated
For the sauce:
¼ cup olive oil
1 medium onion diced
4 cloves garlic sliced
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
2 28-ounce cans plum tomatoes hand crushed or blender pulsed
salt and pepper to taste
Remaining ingredients:
1 pound ziti or penne, rigatoni, etc
1 pound mozzarella shredded, divided
1 pound ricotta
½ cup Pecorino Romano grated
INSTRUCTIONS
For the meatballs:
Preheat oven to 375f and set rack to middle level.
In a large bowl mix together all of the meatball ingredients. Form tiny meatballs about a ½ to ¾-inch in diameter.
Place the tiny meatballs on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake until they reach 165f internal temp (about 15-20 minutes). While the meatballs are baking start the sauce.
For the sauce:
In a large pan or pot saute the onion in olive oil for 4 minutes over medium heat or until translucent. Next, add the garlic and cook for about 2 more minutes or until fragrant. Add the hot red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds more.
Add the plum tomatoes and bring the sauce to a simmer. Taste test the sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer on low and move to the next step.
Assembling the baked ziti with meatballs:
While the sauce is simmering bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta until 2 minutes less than al dente.
Prepare a 9 by 13 baking dish by placing a ¼ inch thick layer of sauce on the bottom.
Place 4 cups of sauce into a large bowl and add the pasta. Also, add the meatballs, ricotta, Pecorino Romano, and ¾ of the shredded mozzarella. Mix well.
Pour the pasta into the baking dish. Top with a thin layer of sauce and the remaining mozzarella. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until browned on top. For extra color broil for 1-2 more minutes but watch carefully! Wait at least 10 minutes before eating so that the pasta settles.
Notes
– Makes 6 large or 8 moderate-sized portions.
– Undercook the pasta! Fully boiled pasta will become mushy after baking for another 30 minutes, so shoot for a bit firmer than al dente or about 2 minutes less than the box instructions.
– Put a hefty layer of the sauce on the bottom of the baking dish to avoid sticking.
– Bake the pasta until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned on top. For extra color, broil for 1-2 minutes, but watch very carefully to avoid burning.
