baked ziti balls

Recipe by
Leanne D.
Southern, CA

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!

method Bake

Ingredients For baked ziti balls

  • 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

  • 1
    Lightly 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.

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