Description
Weeknight Baked Ziti delivers pure comfort right when your family needs a quick, delicious dinner that comes together without stress. Cheesy pasta layers packed with hearty sauce make this classic Italian-American casserole a total weeknight win for hungry households.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Proteins:
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
Cheeses:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare ziti pasta in a large pot of salted water for 8-9 minutes until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside in a colander.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground beef, breaking into small crumbles until completely browned, about 6-7 minutes.
- Mince 3 cloves of garlic and add to the browned meat. Sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour 24 ounces marinara sauce into the skillet with meat. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer sauce for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Transfer cooked pasta into the meat sauce, gently mixing until every noodle gets coated evenly.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Spread half the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the layer.
- Add remaining pasta mixture on top. Cover completely with 1 cup mozzarella and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cover baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for 12-15 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5-7 minutes before serving to allow cheese to set.
Notes
- Salt the pasta water generously to enhance the overall flavor of the dish from the very beginning.
- Choose a high-quality marinara sauce or make your own for a more robust taste that elevates the entire baked ziti.
- For a leaner version, swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternative without losing the hearty texture.
- Let the ziti rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help the cheese set and make serving easier, preventing a runny mess on your plate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 to 6
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg