Baked Ziti (Sort of)

Baked Ziti is an Italian comfort food.  Just about everyone has their on way of making it, with their favorite ingredients.  This recipe is a baked "Ziti" recipe, but tweaked as I am in the middle of a VERY BUSY stretch, without a lot of time to cook. As a result, most of what is used in this recipe comes from a jar.

First of all, maybe it should be called "Baked Pasta", as I seldom use Ziti.  Click here for an explanation of Ziti. I usually use Penne Pasta, and that is what I used in this recipe. You can use Ziti, Penne, Mostaccioli, Rigatoni, in a pinch you could even use Spaghetti noodles.  Whatever you like, or what you have on hand.


This will make one 9X13 pan or two 8X8 pans.

On to cooking! You'll need:
1 pound of ground beef
1 small onion, chopped up
2 cloves garlic, diced
1 15oz jar of Alfredo Sauce (I used Classico Creamy Alfredo)
1 24oz jar of Pasta Sauce (I used Classico Cabernet Marinara)
1 - 1# package of Penne pasta
Parmesan Cheese

Place about 4 to 6 quarts of water in a large pot and start it to boiling.

Brown the ground beef in a medium skillet.  When it is about halfway browned, add the onion and allow it to cook with the beef. When it is almost done add the garlic and mix it in well for the last minute or two of browning. Drain well and set aside.

By now the water should be boiling. Add the pasta and cook according to the directions on the package.

Drain the pasta and put it in a large bowl.  Pour the Alfredo Sauce over it and mix it in well. Place a tiny bit of the red sauce in the bottom of your baking pan(s) and use it to cover the bottom of the pan(s).  Mix the rest in with the pasta. Add the meat mixture and mix well.  Spoon the mixture into the pan(s) and level the top.  Sprinkle Parmesan Cheese over the top.

Place in a cold oven, turn it to 350*F and cook for 25 minutes, including the warm up time.

Let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving.  The whole recipe will serve 8 - 10.

It goes well with a loaf of Sourdough or Faux Sourdough bread.

This is one 8 X 8 pan, the other is in the freezer for another day!

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