
Life can get so busy with kids and work, that it’s nice to worry about one less thing. I thought I’d share with you, my recipe for this week.
I decided to do a baked ziti, and it is so yummy and quick. Throw it all together and dinner is ready in just minutes, and you don’t have to worry about it all day.
HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT BAKED ZITI:
This is a super simple recipe to make, and it comes together in a flash. If you are looking for a fast dinner, or one to freeze and eat later, we highly recommend this Baked Ziti.
Here are a few tips:

- Salt your noodles. I usually salt my noodles, not necessarily for flavor, but to keep them from getting too sticky.
- If you are making this as a freezer meal, you will want to add about a teaspoon of salt to the boiling noodles to help them stay separate and not clump together.

- Add extra sauce if you plan to freeze it. This freezes well, but when you reheat it, you might lose a little bit of our red sauce, as it will soak into the pasta. I like to add about a half cup extra of the sauce, just to make sure it’s saucy enough when I reheat it.

- Add your cheese. Really any cheese will work for this recipe. My husband loves a little heat, so we usually add a little pepper jack cheese to it, just to give it some more flavor and spice. I like to add just the slightest bit of cheddar cheese to it, to calm it down, but both are optional.

- Low fat option. If you are trying to save on calories or fat, we highly recommend using a plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. The flavor and texture will all be there, just less fat and fewer calories.
The sour cream does cook a little better, but with all the sauce and cheese, you won’t be able to tell a difference in the taste or texture.

- If you like your cheese a little crispy, you could also broil your dish for about 1 minute under high broil. I like mine creamy and smooth so I didn’t do this step, but if you are looking for that golden brown cheese, I highly recommend giving it a small broil.

What can I replace the sour cream with?
For this recipe, we recommend replacing the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt. It’s all the same great flavor, with half the calories and fat.
It will still be just as flavorful and creamy. You probably won’t even notice a difference.
How to freeze this meal:
How to cook the freezer meal:
Watch how to make another pasta favorite, here:
Did you know we have a Youtube Channel? We have hundreds of simple and delicious recipes, your family is going to love. We take you through each recipe, step by step, and show you exactly how to make them.
Looking for more pasta recipes? Here are a few of our favorites:
- Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Protein Pasta
- One Pan Chili Beef Pasta Skillet
- Fresh Cajun Pasta
- Instant Pot Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

Baked Ziti {Freezer Meal} Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ziti pasta 1 package, (or Penne pasta)
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- pepper, to taste
- garlic powder, to taste
- onion powder, to taste
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce (feel free to add any veggies to this sauce)
- 8 slices Provolone cheese
- 1½ cups sour cream
- 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until Al Dente, about 7-8 minutes; drain.
- In a large skillet, add onion, ground beef, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and minced garlic over medium heat. Cook and then drain grease.
- Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 (8 x 8 inch) pans with non-stick cooking spray. Layer as follows in each pan: 1/4 of the pasta, 1/4 of the sauce, 4 slices of Provolone cheese, 1/2 of sour cream, 1/4 of pasta, 1/4 mozzarella cheese and 1/4 of sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake covered for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.
Notes
Nutrition
Equipment
- large pot
- Large Skillet
- 8x8-inch glass pan (2)
Recipe Details
This post was included in our 15 Make Ahead Freezer Meals video – for more inexpensive and delicious recipes like this one, click here to check it out!
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Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a great week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
I just need to get more recipes. And I want some that are healthy.. I am having a really fun time doing this. And have enough bags to last me.... for almost 19 days.. Now that is going to make my pocketbook fatter.. Since I'm on a very limited budget.
Julie at http://www.craftyimaginings.blogspot.com