Baked Ziti with Homemade Meatballs

Baked Ziti with Homemade Meatballs 

Hey everyone, I know it's been a long time since my last blog, my apologies, life happened. And so did baby number 3!!!! So it's been very exciting and very busy around our house as of late. I'd like to share a family favorite with you tonight, I hope you enjoy. If you find it's to much to do to make your own meatballs, feel free to grab some out of the freezer section, it will still be a super delicious meal! 

Baked Ziti with Meatballs!

Homemade Meatballs:

¾ Pound Ground Beef

¾ Pound Ground Pork

3 Cloves Minced Garlic

¾ Cup Breadcrumbs

2 Large Eggs

¾ Cup Freshly Graded Parmesan Cheese

¼ Teaspoon Salt

¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper

A splash of Milk

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients, mix together with hands, to ensure well blended. Roll into 24 1.5inch balls, and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and place in the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up. Bake in the over at 375 for 40 minutes.

Ziti:

1Pound of Ziti Pasta

1 Jar of Spaghetti Sauce

½ a Large Onion Chopped

1 Container of Sliced Mushrooms

2Tablespoons of Butter

½ Cup of Freshly Graded Parmesan Cheese

2Teaspoons of Italian Seasoning

1Pound of Grated Mozzarella Cheese

¾ of a 32oz Container of Ricotta Cheese

Cook Pasta to desired tenderness and set aside.

In a large frying pan add the Italian Seasoning, Butter, Chopped Onion, & Sliced Mushrooms, cook through on medium heat. Set aside and allow to cool.

In a large bowl add 1 & ½ cups of Spaghetti Sauce, to the mixture you just cooked. Add in ¼ cup of the Grated Parmesan Cheese, all of the Mozzarella Cheese, & the Ricotta Cheese. Fold all of that in together. Add in the meatballs and the pasta and continue to fold in together.

Grease a 9x13 Casserole Dish and pour in the entire mixture and flatten down in the dish with a rubber scraper. Top with the rest of the Spaghetti Sauce and last 1/4 Cup of Freshly Grated Mozzarella Cheese.

Bake uncovered at 375 for 30 minutes, allow resting time for 15 minutes. 

Enjoy!