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This recipe for giant meatball baked ziti is a must, just knowing that a hot, bubbly pan of delicious baked ziti with giant meatballs is just minutes away
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Giant Meatball Baked Ziti
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
great meal
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 6
Author: Cooking Maniac
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. Ziti
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 1/4 c. panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp. canola oil
  • 1/2 cup stock
  • 1 24 oz. can whole tomatoes, smashed
  • 3 Dorot parsley cube
  • 3 Dorot basil cubes
  • 8 oz. fresh mozzarella grated
  • 1/8 or a pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  • fresh parsley and basil for garnish
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Gently combine ground beef, onion, breadcrumbs, garlic, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl; shape into 6 giant meatballs or 14 regular meatballs.
  3. Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until brown on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in stock, gently scraping up brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in whole tomato, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, parsley cube, and basil cube; bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and fold in pasta.
  4. Top with grated cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and edges are bubbly, 25 minutes.
  5. Let stand 10 minutes before serving- trust me. Garnish with parsley and basil.