Baked Ziti

Macros (makes 6 servings):

Protein: 76
Carbs: 99
Fat: 90
Calories: 1,510

Grocery List:

• Garlic bread (one box of 8 slices)
• Ground beef (2 lbs – I used 80/20)
• Hot Italian sausage (1 lb)
• Onion (1)
• Olive oil (2 TBSP)
• Minced garlic (2 TBSP)
• Ziti (one 16 oz package)
• Four cheese marinara (24 oz – I used Rao’s)
• Ricotta (one 15 oz container)
• Shredded parmesan (one 6 oz bag)
• Shredded mozzarella + provolone (one 8 oz bag)
• Spring greens (one 5 oz container) – [side salad ingredients not pictured]
• Garlic croutons (one 5 oz bag) – [side salad ingredients not pictured]
• Balsamic vinaigrette (one 12 oz bottle) – [side salad ingredients not pictured]
• Red onion (1) – [side salad ingredients not pictured]
• Cucumber (1) – [side salad ingredients not pictured]
• Cherry tomatoes (one 10 oz container) – [side salad ingredients not pictured]
  
  

Directions:

1. Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Cook the ziti according to directions on the box
2. Pre-heat oven to 400 ºF
3. Cook the garlic bread for 8-10 minutes at 400 ºF
4. Dice your onion
5. Add 2 TBSP olive oil to a large pan/wok along with the diced onion and minced garlic
6. Cook the onion for ~ 5 minutes and then add your ground beef and hot Italian sausage
7. Cook the meat and onion mixture until done
8. Add half of your marinara sauce to the cooked noodles and the other half to the cooked meat mixture. Mix thoroughly
9. Add your ziti noodles to a 9×13 baking dish followed by the meat mixture (probably would’ve been better to mix them together first and then add to the pan… oh well!)
10. Top the meat layer with ricotta cheese and then the shredded mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan
11. Bake in the oven at 400 ºF for 25 minutes (until cheese is melted)
12. Dice the red onion, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes into small pieces. Store in a large plastic bag.
13. Assemble the side salad the day of consumption. Top with balsamic vinaigrette and croutons