Zesty Ziti Bake with Creamy Avocado Fajita Layer

Ingredients

- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 4 large tortillas
- 2 tablespoons fajita spice blend
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup mixed veggies (e.g., peas, corn)
- 1 cup salsa verde
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons mixed herbs (e.g., parsley, oregano)
- 2 fresh tomatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 jalapeño, sliced (optional, for heat)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Cook the Ziti
Boil the ziti in a large pot of salted water until al dente, about PT10M (10 minutes). Drain and set aside.

3. Prepare the Beef Mixture
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Brown the ground beef until fully cooked, about PT10M (10 minutes). Stir in the fajita spice blend, bell peppers, and diced tomatoes, cooking until the peppers are tender, about PT5M (5 minutes).

4. Mix the Cheeses
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese. Set aside.

5. Assemble the Chicken Layer
In a separate bowl, mix shredded chicken with salsa verde, rice, and crumbled bacon.

6. Layer the Ingredients
In a large baking dish, start with a layer of ziti, next add the beef mixture, followed by a layer of tortillas. Spread the cheese mixture on top, then add the chicken mix. Repeat layers if necessary.

7. Top and Bake
Finish with a layer of tomato sauce, sprinkled with the mixed veggies, more cheddar cheese, and jalapeño slices for added heat if desired. Bake in the oven for PT30M (30 minutes) until the top layer is golden and bubbling.

8. Prepare the Avocado and Herbs
Just before serving, mix sliced avocado with lemon juice and freshly chopped herbs.

9. Serve
Let the baked ziti rest for PT5M (5 minutes), then slice and serve topped with the avocado and herb mixture.

Total Time

PT1H15M
1 hour 15 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

- Ziti bake
- Fajita
- Cheese
- Avocado
- Bell peppers
- Salsa verde
- Oven-baked
- Comfort food
- Chicken
- Ground beef

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total: 3,200 calories

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