Meatball Ziti Bake
Servings
4
Cook Time
45 minutes
Savor the comforting flavors of our Meatball Ziti Bake—a culinary delight that features layers of ziti pasta, tender meatballs, and chunky marinara sauce. Topped with creamy mascarpone, ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese, this dish creates a symphony of flavors that's perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Rastelli’s
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
-
1 package pre-cooked meatballs (beef or turkey)
- 4 cups chunky marinara sauce
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
If using frozen pre-cooked meatballs, thaw them according to package instructions. Alternatively, you can cook them directly from frozen. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the meatballs. Cook until heated through, stirring occasionally. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti pasta over the marinara sauce. Arrange half of the cooked meatballs evenly over the pasta layer. Spoon half of the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs. Dollop half of the mascarpone and ricotta cheese over the sauce. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the cheese layer.
Repeat the layering process with the remaining ziti pasta, meatballs, marinara sauce, mascarpone, ricotta, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly .Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired, before serving.