Mom’s Baked Ziti Recipe

My mom is a great cook and taught me everything I needed to know about cooking and baking as a teenager. I’m very fortunate that we spend a lot of time together and often times…that time is spent cooking, baking or canning. Yup, I love being in the kitchen with my mom!

Today I’m featuring a recipe that my mother has been making for years. When she makes it for the family, she always serves it alongside a freshly made garden salad and some thickly sliced garlic bread. It will make 4-6 servings.

Note: We sometimes change up the shredded cheese to whatever we have on-hand, so if you don’t have Italian cheese, try some Mozzarella mixed with Cheddar or whatever type of cheese your family prefers.

Mom’s Baked Ziti Recipe

16 to 18 ounces ziti pasta, cooked and drained
32 to 45 ounces Italian spaghetti sauce
1 lb. lean ground beef, cooked and drained
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
4 cups Italian Cheese Blend, shredded

Directions: Cook the ziti pasta until done. Drain away the water. Mix the cooked pasta, Italian spaghetti sauce, cooked lean ground beef, Parmesan cheese and 2 cups of the Italian cheese blend. Pour mixture into a glass baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of cheese on top.

Place baking dish in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until done. The cheese will be melted & bubbly. Remove from oven and serve immediately.