Baked Ziti Freezer Meal Recipe | Large Family Style!
Jamerrill Stewart
Feed a herd of hungry people with this favorite Baked Ziti Freezer Meal recipe! Add your favorite sides and make it work for you.
HOMEMADE MEAT SAUCE
- 105 oz of Hunts Tomato Sauce
- 2 oz of Garlic Powder
- 2 oz of Ground Oregano
- 2 lbs of Cooked Ground Beef
HOMEMADE CHEESE SAUCE
- 2-32 oz Ricotta Cheese Tubs
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
ALSO NEEDED
- 4 - 16 oz boxes of Ziti Noodles
- 8 cups of preferred shredded cheese Mozzarella, Colby blend, or cheese of your choice
FOR THE HOMEMADE MEAT SAUCE
Precook and drain 2 lbs of ground beef.
Combine 2 lbs of ground beef with large 105 oz can of plain tomato sauce in a large stock pot.
Add in 2 oz of garlic powder and 2 oz of ground oregano.
Stir well.
FOR HOMEMADE CHEESE SAUCE
In large mixing bowl combined 2-32 oz tubs of Ricotta Cheese, 6 eggs, and 1 cups of mozzarella cheese.
Mix well with hand mixer.
CONSTRUCTING BAKED ZITI FREEZER MEALS
Set out 4 to 5 9x13 baking pans.
In large stock pot or huge mixing bowl gently stir together precooked homemade meat sauce, homemade cheese sauce, and 4 lbs of cooked noodles.
Fill each 9x13 baking pan approximately 3/4 full of baked ziti mixture.
Top each 9x13 pan with two additional cups of shredded cheese.
FREEZER MEAL DIRECTIONS
Allow your meals to cool completely before placing in the freezer.
Wrap each 9x13 pan with two layers of foil.
Label the top of each pan with recipe name and date.
Wrap each 9x13 pan with a layer of plastic wrap.
Set each pan to freeze in the freezer. Do not stack the pans on top of one another until each pan is individually frozen.
THAWED COOKING DIRECTIONS
Set the desired pans of Baked Ziti out in the refrigerator the evening before you'd like to serve.
Preheat your oven to 375 (oven times may vary).
Remove plastic wrap and one layer of foil.
Place Baked Ziti in preheated oven for 1 hour or until bubbly and hot. Remove last layer of foil and allow to cook for 10 additional minutes.
Allow your hot Baked Zitis to slightly cool on counter for 5-10 minutes before serving.
FROZEN COOKING DIRECTIONS
If cooking your Baked Ziti from completely frozen (this happens in real life :), remove plastic wrap and one layer of foil and place frozen Baked Ziti in preheated oven at 400 (oven temps may vary). Cook for up to 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until hot and bubbly. Remove last layer of foil and cook uncovered an additional 10 minutes as needed.