Baked Ziti with Meatballs

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Food Network SpecialsEpisode: An Italian Christmas With Mario and Giada

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (139)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(139)

Cook Time:
45 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep: 45 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 45 min
Total:: 1 hr 30 min

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Ingredients

1/4 cup plain dried bread crumbs
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons milk
3/4 cup grated Romano
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound ground beef
All-purpose flour, for dredging
1 pound ziti
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
5 cups tomato sauce
3 cups whole milk ricotta
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, eggs, milk, 1/2 cup of the Romano and the parsley, and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Add beef and gently combine, being careful not to overwork the meat. Shape into bite-size meatballs. Roll each meatball in flour to coat, shaking off excess.

In a large pot, bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain pasta in a colander and set aside. If not using immediately, cover top with plastic wrap so that pasta does not dry out. Do not rinse pasta with water since you want to retain the pasta's natural starches so that the sauce will cling to the ziti.

In a large skillet heat the oil over medium-high heat. When almost smoking, add meatballs in batches and without moving or turning the meat, allow it to brown for about 3 minutes. Turn meatballs and brown other side. Continue to cook until all sides are golden brown. Remove meatballs to a plate.

In a large bowl, combine the tomato sauce and ricotta and mix well. Add the cooked ziti and meatballs and toss gently.

In a large greased baking dish, pour in pasta mixture. Sprinkle the mozzarella, Parmesan, and remaining Romano all over the top. Dot with the butter. Place baking dish on top of baking sheet covered with aluminum foil to collect any drippings from the dish. Bake until top is golden brown and bubbly, about 30 to 40 minutes.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Kerry Jeffersonton, VA 02-05-2010
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Not my kettle of tea.
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

Personally, I like sweet onion taste from carmelized onions in my meatballs, tried this recipe but the old fashioned Italian... cooking in oil is nothing compared to using an oven. I'd pass on this recipe in the future - I have not tried any of the rest of Giada's recipes as of yet.Read more
recipe Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Allison Palo Alto, CA 01-28-2010
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YUM! Easy recipe, will make this again!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I just made this for the first time last night, it was easy and very good. The meatballs were delicious and made the recipe.... My kids loved it! I will make this again for sure. Thanks Giada, great recipe. Read more
recipe Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Colleen Sparks, NV 01-27-2010
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NO FLAVOR AND UNAPPEALING IN COLOR
Rated: 1 stars out of 5

I love Giada's recipes. This one however missed the boat. "Tomato sauce" cannot be correct. The meatballs were bland with... plain bread crumbs. I would use italian bread crumbs in the future. Mixing tomato sauce with ricotta gives you a pink color and not at all appealing. it was overall awful. Not only that but it takes a while to do the prep work and then bake it for another 40 minutes. Really bummed over the time spent, but all the other recipes I've tried are to die for. Especially, her Lemon Spaghetti! Read more
recipe Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Analiese New Hampton, NY 01-03-2010
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The Go to recipe for Meatballs
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

These meatballs are deceptively simple but absolutly delicious! Do not pass up making these, you will be delightfully... surprised by how good they are!Read more
recipe Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Linda Staten Island, NY 12-28-2009
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New Family Favorite
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

The meatballs are delicious. This recipe makes a great meal.
recipe Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Angie D'Iberville, MS 12-23-2009
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Will be making this one again!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I just tried this recipe tonight and I was not disappointed at all! I did only make half of the recipe though because I just... wanted me & my husband to try it before I made the whole thing. We really liked it! This is definitely one I will make again. I read all of the reviews before I made it and I did use my favorite spaghetti sauce instead of tomato sauce, but I would have known to do that without reading the reviews. It tasted like we were eating at a nice Italian restaurant, and it was very easy to make too which makes it even better. I should've cooked it a little longer though, but with my oven, it seems like it always needs to cook longer than recipes say. Anybody who gives this recipe less than 5 stars didn't do something right.Read more