Description
Baked ziti with ground beef is the ultimate comfort food that combines cheesy layers of goodness with hearty meat and rich marinara sauce. This dish is perfect for cozy family dinners or gatherings, delighting everyone with its warm aroma and satisfying flavors. With easy preparation steps and customizable ingredients, you can whip up this delicious baked ziti in no time, making it a favorite for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh basil or oregano (to taste)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef; drain excess fat. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Mix marinara sauce with the browned meat; let simmer.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the Parmesan, salt, and pepper until creamy.
- Layer a baking dish: spread some meat sauce, add half of the cooked pasta, spoon half of the ricotta mixture, sprinkle mozzarella, then repeat layers.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until golden.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg