Better than lasagna, this baked casserole is simple to prepare.
| Prep Time: | 15 mins |
| Cook Time: | 45 mins |
| Total Time: | 1 hr |
| Servings: | 8 |
| Yield: | 1 pasta bake |
Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
- 1 ½ pounds frozen cooked meatballs, thawed
- 2 (28 ounce) jars prepared marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ⅔ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes less than the package instructions, about 8 minutes. Drain pasta.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 13×9 inch baking dish.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook meatballs until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add marinara sauce and ricotta cheese; mix to combine. Add cooked pasta and mix to combine. Season with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
- Cover the bottom of the prepared baking dish with a layer of sauce without meatballs. Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella cheese on top. Add another layer of sauce with meatballs on top and sprinkle with 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese. Add another layer of 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Add the rest of the sauce and meatball mixture on top, followed by remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, 20 to 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake until cheese starts to turn golden brown, 10 to 20 minutes. Enjoy!
- You can use any short pasta for this recipe (e.g., penne, rigatoni, etc.). If you like, sprinkle extra cheese on top to serve.
Reviews
Sooo good. Made exactly as suggested and everyone, including my daughter who doesn’t like red sauce, loved it!
Fantastic!! I don’t usually make a new recipe when company is coming over. Well.. this looked quick and easy!! I made for 8 people we had 6 guests over. There was nothing left at the end of the meal and people were fighting over the last meatballs!!!! 🙂 YUM