Description
Baked ziti with ground beef is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and gooey cheese in one delicious dish. Perfect for family gatherings or busy weeknights, this recipe is easy to prepare and customizable to your taste. Each bite is a delightful blend of flavors and textures that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded whole-milk mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Boil salted water and cook the ziti until al dente (7-9 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat for 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning; simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix cooked ziti with ricotta, half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan.
- Layer half of the meat sauce in the baking dish, then add half the ziti mixture. Repeat layers and top with remaining cheeses.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (225g)
- Calories: 435
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg