Best 8 Meaty Ziti Casserole With Ground Beef And Italian Sausage Recipes

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Meaty ziti casserole is a delightful and satisfying dish filled with layers of flavorful ingredients. This comfort food classic combines ground beef, Italian sausage, and hearty ziti pasta smothered in a rich and creamy sauce. Topped with a golden layer of melted cheese, this casserole delivers a delectable combination of textures and flavors that will please the whole family. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight meal or a special occasion dish, this recipe offers a surefire way to delight your taste buds.

Let's cook with our recipes!

MEATY BAKED ZITI



Meaty Baked Ziti image

This baked ziti recipe takes a little time to make, but it's worth it in the end! This meat sauce is way better than a jar sauce, and I use it for other Italian recipes as well. You can also make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a few days until you are ready to eat it.

Provided by Bridget

Time 2h5m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage
1 pound ground beef
2 (14.5 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes with juice
½ cup diced white onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon white sugar
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
1 (15 ounce) container whole-milk ricotta cheese
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg, beaten
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, or to taste
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
12 slices provolone cheese

Steps:

  • Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook and stir sausage and ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomato sauce, whole tomatoes with juice, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, basil, sugar, and red pepper flakes; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Turn off the heat. Transfer 3 cups sauce to a bowl and leave remaining sauce in the pot; allow to cool while you prepare ziti.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain ziti and rinse under cool water to stop it from cooking.
  • Combine ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, 2 tablespoon parsley, and pepper in a bowl; stir together with a few turns but do not mix completely. Pour drained ziti into the bowl and toss until slightly combined with large lumps. Add the reserved 3 cups meat sauce and toss to combine.
  • Place 1/2 of the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Spoon 1/2 of the remaining sauce over top, layer with 6 slices of provolone and 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat layers: pasta mixture, remaining sauce, 6 slices provolone, and 1 cup mozzarella. Cover with foil.
  • Place on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven until bubbling, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake until cheese is fully melted and slightly browned, 5 to 10 more minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with parsley. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 593.1 calories, Carbohydrate 37.3 g, Cholesterol 111.2 mg, Fat 31.5 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 39.2 g, SaturatedFat 16 g, Sodium 1030.4 mg, Sugar 4.3 g

CHEESY BAKED ZITI WITH BEEF



Cheesy Baked Ziti With Beef image

This easy baked ziti is filled with ground beef, a tomato-based sauce, and layers of melted mozzarella cheese. Here are tips and variations.

Provided by Diana Rattray

Categories     Entree     Dinner     Pasta

Time 1h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 ounces ziti pasta
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef (ground chuck or ground round)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 green bell pepper, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 small clove garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
1/4 teaspoon pepper (or more to taste)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese shredded, divided

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Heat the oven to 350 F. Lightly butter a 2 1/2-quart baking dish. Bring a big pot of water to a boil.
  • Drizzle the olive oil in a very large skillet or sauté pan and place it over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the ground beef, onion, and green bell pepper. Cook, stirring until the onion is tender and the beef is no longer pink.
  • Drain off the excess fat and then add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
  • While the meat is simmering, cook the ziti in the boiling salted water until just al dente. The pasta needs to still have some bite as it will continue cooking in the oven. Set aside.
  • Add the cooked pasta and half of the mozzarella cheese to the pan with the meat sauce.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  • Top the casserole with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake the ziti for 25 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
  • Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 383 kcal, Carbohydrate 17 g, Cholesterol 94 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 32 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 1057 mg, Sugar 7 g, Fat 21 g, ServingSize 6 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

BAKED ZITI



Baked Ziti image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h35m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, diced
1 pound ground beef
1 pound Italian sausage
Two 14.5-ounce cans tomato sauce or marinara sauce
One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes with juice
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound ziti
1 1/2 pounds mozzarella, grated
One 15-ounce tub whole-milk ricotta
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for sprinkling
2 eggs

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and saute until starting to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and sausage and cook until browned. Drain off almost all of the fat, leaving a bit behind for flavor and moisture. Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper. Stir, bring to a simmer and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove 3 to 4 cups of the cooked sauce to a bowl to cool down.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add some salt. Cook the ziti until not quite al dente.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • In a bowl, mix 2 cups of the grated mozzarella, the ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, eggs and some salt and pepper. Stir together just a couple of times (do not mix completely).
  • Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Pour it into the bowl with the cheese mixture and toss to slightly combine (there should still be large lumps). Add the cooled reserved meat sauce and toss to combine.
  • Add half the coated pasta to a large casserole dish or lasagna dish. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the top, then top with half the remaining mozzarella. Repeat with another layer of the coated pasta and the remaining sauce and mozzarella.
  • Bake until bubbling, about 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before sprinkling with chopped parsley to serve.

MEATY ZITI CASSEROLE WITH GROUND BEEF AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE RECIPE



Meaty Ziti Casserole With Ground Beef and Italian Sausage Recipe image

Provided by á-49759

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef, at least 85%
1/2 pound bulk sweet Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried leaf basil
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
salt and pepper, to taste
8 ounces ziti pasta
1 cup ricotta cheese, whole milk
3/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 large egg
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 to 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 350° F (180° C/Gas 4). Lightly grease or spray a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, sausage, and onion. Cook, stirring, until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is translucent. Add the garlic to the meat mixture and cook, stirring, for 1 minute longer. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 to 12 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, the egg, and 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese. Stir until well blended. While the sauce is simmering, cook the ziti in boiling salted water following directions on the package. Drain well. Add the hot drained pasta to the bowl with the ricotta cheese mixture. Toss lightly to blend. Add 2 cups of the meat sauce to the ziti mixture. Transfer half of the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread about half of the meat sauce over the pasta, then top with the remaining Parmesan cheese and half of the remaining Mozzarella. Top with the remaining pasta mixture, then finish with the remaining meat sauce and remaining Mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley. Bake for 25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly around the edges.

BEST ZITI EVER WITH SAUSAGE



Best Ziti Ever with Sausage image

Ziti is layered with sausage, ricotta, mozzarella and tomato sauce, then baked until bubbling.

Provided by Dawn

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
1 pound mild Italian sausage, casings removed
2 (24 ounce) jars Classico® Tomato and Basil Sauce
1 ½ teaspoons dried basil, divided
12 ounces ricotta cheese
1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
1 dash salt and pepper
1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. In a large saucepan, heat pasta sauce with 1 teaspoon basil until bubbling. In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
  • Spread bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with sauce. Layer 1/2 of the ziti, 1/2, the sausage, 1/2 of the ricotta, and 1/2 the mozzarella. Spoon half of the sauce over top. Repeat layers. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 teaspoons basil and Italian seasoning.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 631.1 calories, Carbohydrate 63.1 g, Cholesterol 71.8 mg, Fat 25.3 g, Fiber 4.8 g, Protein 36.3 g, SaturatedFat 11.7 g, Sodium 1350.3 mg, Sugar 10.8 g

MEATY ZITI WITH PESTO DOLLOP



Meaty Ziti with Pesto Dollop image

Provided by Molly Yeh

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
2 tablespoons (26 grams) extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound (453 grams) sweet Italian sausage, removed from casings
1 medium onion, sliced
1 medium bulb fennel, quartered, cored and thinly sliced (reserve 1/2 cup tender fronds for the pesto)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup dry red wine
One 28-ounce/794-gram can whole tomatoes, crushed by hand
One 8-ounce/227-gram can tomato sauce (reserve the can)
1 pound (453 grams) ziti
2 cups (224 grams) low-moisture whole milk shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup (40 grams) grated Parmesan
One 8-ounce/226-gram ball fresh mozzarella, halved
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups loosely packed fresh basil
1 cup loosely packed fresh Italian parsley leaves
1/2 cup fresh fennel fronds
1/4 cup (30 grams) blanched almonds, toasted
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons (10 grams) grated Parmesan, plus more for finishing
1/3 cup (71 grams) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

Steps:

  • For the meaty ziti: Place an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta.
  • Heat a large braiser (about 5 quarts) over medium heat and add the olive oil. Crumble in the sausage. Cook, breaking up into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 4 minutes. Add the onion, sliced fennel and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes. Stir to incorporate and allow the red pepper flakes to toast, about 1 minute. Add the wine. Increase the heat to reduce by half, about 2 minutes.
  • Add both cans of tomatoes. Add 1 cup water to the smaller reserved can and add the tomato-water to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook until thick and flavorful, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, add the ziti to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions. Drain and add the pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat. Add almost all the shredded mozzarella (saving some for the top) and 1/4 cup Parmesan. Tear half the fresh mozzarella into smaller pieces and add to the pasta; fold the cheeses into the pasta. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan, then dot with torn pieces of the remaining fresh mozzarella.
  • Bake, uncovered, until the edges are bubbling and the top is golden and crusty, 20 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, make the pesto.
  • For the pesto: Combine the basil, parsley, fennel fronds, almonds, lemon zest and juice, garlic, salt and Parmesan in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to make a coarse paste. With the machine running, add the olive oil in a steady stream to make a smooth pesto.
  • Dollop the pesto on top of the hot pasta. Season with black pepper and finish with grated Parmesan.

BAKED ZITI WITH GROUND BEEF AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE



Baked Ziti With Ground Beef and Italian Sausage image

This is an easy baked ziti casserole with ground beef, Italian sausage, and three kinds of cheese. It's a hearty, comforting dish.

Provided by Diana Rattray

Categories     Dinner     Entree

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef (at least 85% lean)
1/2 pound bulk sweet Italian sausage
1 medium onion (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried leaf basil
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Kosher salt (to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk)
3/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese (grated, divided)
1 large egg
3 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided)
8 ounces ziti pasta
1 to 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
Optional: garlic bread, tossed green salad, or Caesar salad (for serving)

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Heat the oven to 350 F. Lightly grease or spray a 2 1/2- to a 3-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, sausage, and onion. Cook, stirring until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is translucent.
  • Add the garlic to the meat mixture and cook, while stirring, for 1 minute longer.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 to 12 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.
  • In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, and mozzarella cheese. Stir until well blended.
  • While the sauce is simmering, cook the ziti in boiling salted water following the directions on the package. Drain well.
  • Add the hot drained pasta to the bowl with the ricotta cheese mixture. Toss lightly to blend.
  • Add 2 cups of the meat sauce to the ziti mixture.
  • Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  • Spread about half of the remaining meat sauce over the pasta, and then top with the Parmesan cheese and 1 cup of the remaining mozzarella.
  • Top with the remaining pasta mixture.
  • Finish with the remaining meat sauce, remaining mozzarella cheese, and sprinkle with the chopped parsley.
  • Bake for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly around the edges.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 640 kcal, Carbohydrate 26 g, Cholesterol 176 mg, Fiber 4 g, Protein 52 g, SaturatedFat 17 g, Sodium 1255 mg, Sugar 9 g, Fat 37 g, ServingSize 1 Casserole (6 Servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g

BEEF AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE CASSEROLE



Beef and Italian Sausage Casserole image

This is a hardy casserole, our friend Joe, loves making this. He changes up the sausage from time to time but always uses something with a kick to it.

Provided by Dancer

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 lb hot Italian sausage or 1 lb sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 lb ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons dried oregano, crumbled
1 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
1 (28 ounce) can Italian plum tomatoes, drained (reserve 2 tablespoons juice)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed, drained
salt and pepper
1 lb mostaccioli pasta, cooked al dente, drained
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
nonstick cooking spray
12 ounces fontina or 12 ounces provolone cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Cook first 6 ingredients in large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until sausage and beef are brown, crumbling with fork, about 5 minutes.
  • Add tomatoes, 2 tablespoons juice (from tomatoes), tomato paste and pepper flakes; simmer 5 minutes, breaking up tomatoes with back of spoon.
  • Add kidney beans and heat through.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add mostaccioli, Parmesan and parsley and toss to combine.
  • Spray 9-by-13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray.
  • Transfer mixture to prepared pan.
  • Sprinkle with cheese.
  • Bake until cheese melts, about 30 minutes.

Tips:

  • Brown the ground beef and sausage thoroughly. This will help to develop their flavor and prevent them from becoming greasy.
  • Use a variety of cheeses. This will create a more complex and flavorful dish. A good combination is to use a combination of mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta cheeses.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is best for this dish. It will hold its shape and texture when it is baked in the casserole.
  • Use a large baking dish. This will allow the casserole to cook evenly. A 9x13 inch baking dish is a good size.
  • Top the casserole with breadcrumbs. This will give it a golden brown crust.
  • Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together.

Conclusion:

Meaty Ziti Casserole is a hearty and satisfying dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its combination of ground beef, sausage, pasta, and cheese, this casserole is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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