Baked Ziti with Mini Meatballs

Dive into comfort food heaven with this irresistible Baked Ziti with Mini Meatballs recipe, perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or indulging in a cozy family dinner. Tender ziti pasta is coated in creamy ricotta and rich marinara sauce, layered alongside bite-sized meatballs made from a flavorful blend of ground beef and pork, Parmesan cheese, and fragrant herbs. Topped with a bubbling trio of shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and a hint of fresh parsley, this hearty casserole bakes to golden perfection in under an hour. Whether you're meal-prepping for the week or serving up a show-stopping main dish, this recipe combines classic Italian flavors with a fun twist that will leave everyone at the table craving seconds. Perfect for keywords like "easy baked ziti," "mini meatball recipes," and "Italian casserole dinner."

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz ziti pasta
• 1 lb ground beef
• 0.5 lb ground pork
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 32 oz marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined.

Step 4

Roll the meat mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs (approximately 1 inch in diameter). Place them on a large plate or tray.

Step 5

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, cook the meatballs until browned on all sides, about 6-7 minutes. They do not need to be fully cooked through; they will finish cooking in the oven. Set the browned meatballs aside.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, marinara sauce (reserving 1/2 cup), and ricotta cheese. Stir until the pasta is well coated.

Step 7

Spread a thin layer of the reserved marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the ziti mixture into the dish and spread it evenly.

Step 8

Add an even layer of cooked meatballs on top of the ziti. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the meatballs.

Step 9

Add the remaining half of the ziti mixture on top of the meatballs. Sprinkle the remaining cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and the shredded Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.

Step 10

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 12

Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2761.3 grams (2761.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5501

Total Fat 281.60g	361%
Saturated Fat 115.50g	578%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.60g
Cholesterol 1119mg	373%
Sodium 7821mg	340%
Total Carbohydrate 439.10g	160%
Dietary Fiber 34.40g	123%
Total Sugars 40.40g
Protein 322.40g	645%

Vitamin D 67IU	334%
Calcium 3670mg	282%
Iron 32mg	178%
Potassium 1563mg	33%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.4%

Protein: 23.1%

Carbs: 31.5%