Description
Baked Ziti with Ground Beef brings pure comfort straight from an Italian-American kitchen to your dinner table. Layers of hearty pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
Starches:
- 12 oz ziti pasta
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Boil 12 oz ziti pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes at a rolling boil. Drain completely and set aside.
- Heat a skillet to medium temperature. Sauté 1 chopped medium onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add 1 lb lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook and break meat into small crumbles until fully browned, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Pour 3 cups marinara sauce into the meat mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and 14 cup chopped fresh basil. Mix thoroughly.
- Prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by lightly greasing the surface with cooking spray.
- Create layers in the baking dish: spread first layer of cooked ziti, then add meat sauce, followed by ricotta cheese mixture.
- Repeat layering until all ingredients are used, ensuring final top layer has remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 12 cup Parmesan cheese.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake covered for 20 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for additional 10-15 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.
Notes
- Salt the pasta water generously to enhance the overall flavor of the dish and ensure the pasta tastes great before mixing with sauce.
- Drain the pasta thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making your baked ziti watery and diluting the rich, robust flavors.
- Choose a high-quality marinara sauce or consider making your own for a more authentic and personalized taste experience.
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef with ground turkey or use a plant-based meat alternative to reduce calories and fat content.
- Prep Time: 10-14 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-42 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg