Description
Baked Ziti screams comfort and brings pure joy to your dinner table with its cheesy, hearty goodness. Packed with tender pasta, rich marinara, and melted cheese, this classic dish delivers maximum flavor in just one delicious casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ziti pasta
Cheeses:
- 1 can (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Sauce:
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Heat your oven precisely to 375°F, ensuring the rack sits in the center position for even cooking.
- Cook 1 pound ziti pasta in generously salted water until al dente, following package timing. Drain completely in a colander.
- Brown 1 pound ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes, breaking meat into small crumbles.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet, leaving just enough to coat the bottom.
- Mince 2 garlic cloves and sprinkle 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning into the beef. Sauté for 90 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour 24 ounces marinara sauce into the skillet with beef. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Grab a large mixing bowl and combine cooked ziti, 15 ounces ricotta cheese, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella. Mix thoroughly.
- Pour meat sauce over pasta mixture, stirring gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Transfer everything to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading mixture flat.
- Scatter remaining 1 cup mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan cheese across the top.
- Bake uncovered at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown.
Notes
- Always salt your pasta water generously to ensure the ziti has maximum flavor before mixing with other ingredients.
- Choose a high-quality marinara sauce or make your own to elevate the overall taste of the dish.
- Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the cheese set and makes serving easier.
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef with ground turkey or use a plant-based meat alternative to reduce calories.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-37 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 645 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg