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Homemade Cheesy Meatball Ziti recipe photo

Cheesy Meatball Ziti

This Cheesy Meatball Ziti is a comforting, hearty meal with tender meatballs, ziti pasta, marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese—perfect for family dinners!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Keyword: Cheesy, Comfort Food, Easy, Pasta
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground beef lean
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • to taste salt and pepper

Assembly

  • 2 cups marinara sauce rich and tangy
  • 2 cups ziti pasta cooked al dente
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese for topping

Instructions

Prepare the Meatballs

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are just combined—overmixing can make the meatballs tough.

Shape and Brown the Meatballs

  • Form the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Heat a skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Brown the meatballs on all sides until golden but not fully cooked through. Remove and set aside.

Cook the Pasta

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Assemble the Dish

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In your baking dish, combine the cooked pasta with marinara sauce, gently mixing to coat. Nestle the browned meatballs evenly throughout the pasta.

Add the Cheese

  • Sprinkle shredded mozzarella generously over the top of the ziti and meatballs. A little extra Parmesan can be added here if you like a cheesier crust.

Bake to Perfection

  • Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.

Serve and Enjoy

  • Allow the Cheesy Meatball Ziti to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with extra parsley if desired, and enjoy a warm, cheesy, comforting meal.

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Large pot
  • Skillet or frying pan
  • Baking dish or casserole dish
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Colander

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
  • Use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs to make this dish gluten-free.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheat well in the oven or microwave.
  • Freeze the assembled dish before baking for an easy make-ahead meal.
  • To get an extra bubbly cheese top, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
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