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Pasta⚓︎

Greek Baked Ziti⚓︎

Description⚓︎

This easy, cheesy pasta dish is perfect to prepare and freeze to cook on busy weeknights. Just prepare through step 5 and pop it in the freezer. When you're ready to cook, let it stand for 30 minutes and add 15 to 20 minutes to the baking time.

Ingredients⚓︎

  • 12 ounces ziti pasta
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
  • 2 (15-oz.) cans tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 ½ tablespoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Vegetable cooking spray
  • 1 (8-oz.) package shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ⅓ cup fine, dry breadcrumbs

How to Make It⚓︎

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta in a Dutch oven according to package directions.Step 2

Meanwhile, sauté onion in hot oil in large skillet over medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Add beef; cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until crumbled and no longer pink. Drain mixture, and return to skillet.Step 3

Stir tomato sauce, next 4 ingredients, and 1 tsp. salt into meat mixture. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Remove from heat.Step 4

Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk. Increase heat to medium, and cook, whisking constantly, 5 to 7 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Stir in Parmesan cheese, pepper, and remaining ½ tsp. salt. Add sauce to pasta, stirring to coat.Step 5

Transfer pasta mixture to a lightly greased (with cooking spray) 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Top with beef mixture, mozzarella cheese, and breadcrumbs.Step 6

Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until mixture is bubbly and cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.Step 7

MAKE IT AHEAD Fix and freeze this dish (unbaked) for a hands-off dinner. Let it stand 30 minutes before baking, and add 15 to 20 minutes in the oven.