baked ziti balls
When my sons were small,they would hear me call this baked ziti,but they would say,"it's ziti balls!".Now that I don't eat meat,I use Gardein's beefless beef meatballs so I can have the same dish my family is having. They're pretty good!
prep time
cook time
method
Bake
yield
Ingredients
- MEATBALLS
- - 2 lb ground sirloin
- - 1 egg,beaten
- - 3 t. bread crumbs
- - 2 t fresh parsley,minced
- - 2 t. fresh basil,minced
- - 4 t. onions,minced
- - 2 cloves garlic,minced
- - 1/4 c parmesan cheese
- - 3 t. milk
- - pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- - salt & pepper
- SAUCE:
- - 2 t onion,minced
- - 2 t. carrot,minced
- - 2 garlic cloves,minced
- - pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- - 2 t. fresh basil,minced
- - 1 t. oregano
- - 1/2 beef broth
- - 2 28 ox can crushed tomatoes
- - 1 1/2 c ricotta cheese
- - salt & pepper to taste
- - fresh basil leaves,torn
- - 2 lb ziti,cooked less than al dente
- TOPPING
- - 1 t oregano
- - 1/2 c parmesan cheese
- - 2-3 c mozzarella cheese
- - fresh basil,torn
How To Make baked ziti balls
-
Step 1Lightly mix all the meatball ingredients together,form by tablespoons into balls.Fry in batches in a little oil,turning until cooked through. Sauce: Sauté onions,carrots until soft, add garlic,pepper flakes,,oregano,broth,tomatoes,salt & pepper,Simmer 15 mins. Stir in basil & ricotta cheese. Remove about 1 1/2 c sauce, set aside.Add meatballs and ziti,stir.Pour into a casserole.Spoon remaining sauce over dish,top with oregano,Parmesan, mozzarella & basil.Bake 350 deg. 20 min.or until bubbly.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
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