baked ziti with tomatoes

This Baked Ziti with Tomatoes recipe is a relatively easy pasta recipe that everyone in your family will enjoy. How can you go wrong with ground beef and cheese on pasta?

meat and tomatoes in skillet

If you are trying to be a little more health-conscious or just don’t care for red meat, you can substitute ground beef for some ground turkey.

Either way, this baked ziti dish is fantastic. One of the days I am going to try adding some chicken instead of using ground beef. Need to have some protein!

baked ziti casserole
baked ziti ready for oven

When making pasta, it’s important to cook the pasta al dente to ensure to best texture possible. If you are not familiar with the term “al dente”, it means cooking the pasta so it’s still chewy and firm and that it will hold its shape when the sauce is added to it.

ziti casserole fresh out of the oven

Instead of the Ziti Pasta, you can use Rigatoni Pasta if you want. Very similar in shape and will not alter the overall flavor of this fantastic dish.

What does better with a great pasta dish than some Cheesy Garlic Bread. This is the best garlic bread you will ever have!

baked ziti with tomatoes

You will need the following ingredients to make this Baked Ziti with Tomatoes recipe (see recipe card for quantities): Ground Beef, Yellow Onion, Tomatoes, Salt, Basil, Ground Black Pepper, Ziti, Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan.

  1. In a Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and chopped onions over medium heat until the meat is cooked. Drain the juices.
  2. Stir in the tomatoes, salt, basil, and pepper. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  4. Cook ziti noodles al dente according to package directions. Drain and put the pasta in a large bowl. Stir in the meat mixture and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  5. Transfer to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella cheese.
  6. Cover and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

More Recipe Ideas

Printable Recipe Card

baked ziti with tomatoes

Baked Ziti with Tomatoes

A Delicious Baked Ziti with Tomatoes Pasta Dish. Beef and Cheese on pasta. How can you go wrong with that combination? Similar to Mac & Cheese
5 from 3 votes

↑ Click stars to rate

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Author Rodney
Servings 6
Calories 528 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
  • 4 Cups Tomatoes, diced
  • 1 ½ Tsp Salt
  • 1 Tsp Dried Basil
  • ¼ Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 16 oz Ziti
  • 2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 2 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese, grated

Instructions

  • In a Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and chopped onions over medium heat until meat is cooked. Drain the juices.
  • Stir in the tomatoes, salt, basil, and pepper. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Cook ziti noodles al dente according to package directions. Drain and put the pasta in a large bowl. Stir in meat mixture and 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
  • Transfer to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella cheese.
  • Cover and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
Nutrition (1 of 6 servings)
Calories: 528kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 902mg | Potassium: 728mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1095IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 250mg | Iron: 3mg
This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.
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One Comment

  1. Nikki says:

    This baked ziti was very tasty. My husband loved it and we had enough leftover for a second dinner.

5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)