Baked Ziti 1-2-3

Recipe Rating:	2 Ratings5
Categories:	Pasta, Italian, Quick & Easy, Healthy
Keyword:	Meatballs
Serves:	4-6
Prep Time:	10 Min
Cook Time:	1 Hr

Ingredients

6 oz	uncooked ziti pasta
	any type of pasta works- you may use gluten-free brands!
2	6-ounce cans v-8 juice
1 c	ricotta cheese (optional)
1 lb	frozen or homemade meatballs
1-2 tsp	mixed italian herbs (optional)
1 jar(s)	favorite spaghetti sauce
1 c	shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 c	grated parmesan cheese

Pinched by Sotagirl75, and 188 more.

Susan Feliciano

Cooked to Perfection

Clinton, TN (pop. 9,841)

frenchtutor

Member Since Jan 2011

Susan's Notes:

This is so easy, and quick to put together. But be sure to allow an hour total for it to be ready to serve. You can also bake garlic bread in the oven with it, and prepare a green salad, and your meal is done! Be sure to have some Italian Gelato on hand for dessert.

For a gluten-free version, use gluten free pasta, and meatballs made with GF breadcrumbs or oats.

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°. Place the uncooked pasta in the bottom of a 2½ or 3 quart casserole. Pour V-8 juice over top of the pasta, making sure it covers most of the pasta. (Spoon the ricotta cheese, if using, evenly over the pasta.)

Arrange the meatballs over the pasta, and sprinkle with Italian herbs if desired. I use a blend by Pampered Chef, but any mixture of oregano, thyme, basil, and parsley will work. Pour the spaghetti sauce evenly over the meatballs and cover the casserole dish tightly with foil.

Bake about 40-45 minutes, until the pasta is tender. Uncover casserole and top with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Return to oven uncovered for another 15-20 minutes until cheeses are melted and very lightly browned.

Karen Workman adds this Crockpot variation:
I prepared this in the Crockpot...left in on high for about 2 hours, then put it under the broiler for about 10 minutes to brown the cheese. It worked perfectly and was very yummy!

Comments

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Susan Feliciano frenchtutor

Susan Feliciano [frenchtutor] has shared this recipe with discussion groups:
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Pat Duran kitchenchatter

Aug 18, 2012

Great recipe I use sour cream in mine.Plus all this stuff. Thanks for sharing your recipe. Hugs,Pat

Pat Duran kitchenchatter

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susan simons imbossmare

Aug 18, 2012

Susan this sounds so good I'm going to try this soon.. My husband loves meatballs.

Millie Johnson BISCUITMAKR

Aug 18, 2012

I will make this soon! I like recipes you can put together and walk away. Lets me multi-task ! I never would have thought of V-8 juice. I like things spicy sometimes so I may try it with the Spicy V-8.

Bob Wakeman Bigcatfish

Aug 19, 2012

This will make a wonderful dish for our church potlucks. I am always looking for new dishes to make. I know this will be a big hit...

Becky Graves BeckyG1

Aug 19, 2012

Susan,
Thanks for this quick recipe! Can't wait to try it!

Becky Graves BeckyG1

Aug 19, 2012

I 'll bet this could be made in the crockpot, too!

Susan Feliciano frenchtutor

Aug 21, 2012

Becky, it probably could be made in the crock pot, but the cheese probably won't brown on top. And the crock pot recipes I have with pasta all have you cook the pasta first and add during the last hour. I've never tried cooking pasta from dry in the crock pot.
This recipe does not require using a separate pan and loads of water to cook the pasta. That's why I developed it.

Millie, the spicy V-8 does sound good. My meatballs were homemade and pretty spicy, so we had enough spice in this one. It's a good recipe because you can vary the flavors by the sauce you use. You can also add things like sauteed mushrooms and peppers, but there again, another pan to wash. You could probably put the mushrooms in raw.

Susan Feliciano frenchtutor

Susan Feliciano [frenchtutor] has shared this recipe with discussion groups:
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