Baked Ziti with Easy Meat Sauce

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Baked Ziti with Easy Meat Sauce

This baked ziti with an easy homemade meat sauce and melty mozzarella is the answer to all your weeknight dinner problems. No boiling noodles! Minimal prep and such big flavor!

Prep Time15

Cook Time1 15

Total Time1 30

Course: Entree, Pasta

Keyword: one pot, pasta

Servings: servings

Author: Christina

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
2 tablespoons garlic minced
56 ounces canned crushed tomatoes 2 28-ounce cans
15 ounces canned tomato sauce
½ cup water
1 pound ziti pasta
2 tablespoons italian seasoning
2 teaspoons salt divided
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon black pepper divided
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray the sides and bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. (I use an avocado oil spray.)
Add your ground beef (or turkey) to a large skillet on the stovetop. Use a spatula to crumble the meat. Cook on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned. Stir in the minced garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Sauté until garlic is golden in color, about one minute.
Add the cooked ground meat with garlic to the prepared baking dish. Stir in canned crushed tomatoes, canned tomato sauce, water, Italian seasoning, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper to the prepared baking dish. Then add the ziti noodles and stir so everything is mixed together. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese in a layer on top.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 1 hour.
Remove from the oven. Uncover and bake again (without foil) for an additional 15 minutes.
After baking let it sit for 10-15 minutes so the sauce continues to thicken. I like to sprinkle chopped fresh basil on top right after baking for an even better presentation but this is optional.

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