Description
Hearty baked ziti with meat sauce brings comfort straight from an Italian grandmother’s kitchen to your dinner table. Melted cheese, robust tomato sauce, and tender pasta create a crowd-pleasing meal your family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Seasoning:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat your oven to precisely 375F (190C) with the rack positioned in the center.
- Cook the entire 1 pound ziti pasta according to package directions in salted water. Drain thoroughly in a colander.
- Grab a large skillet and brown the 1 pound ground beef over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Break the meat into small crumbles while cooking.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions become translucent.
- Pour 2 cups marinara sauce and sprinkle 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning into the skillet. Allow the mixture to simmer for exactly 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Grab a large mixing bowl and combine the drained ziti, meat sauce, 2 cups ricotta cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is evenly distributed.
- Transfer the entire mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread it out smoothly and evenly.
- Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese across the top, covering the entire surface.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for precisely 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts completely and turns golden around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let the ziti rest for 5-7 minutes before serving. This helps the dish set and makes cutting easier.
Notes
- Use fresh ground beef with a bit of fat for richer flavor and juicier meat sauce.
- Grate your own mozzarella and Parmesan for better melting and more authentic taste.
- Let the ziti rest 5-10 minutes after baking so the cheese sets and sauce thickens slightly.
- Make ahead by assembling the dish and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve – perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 637 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 555 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg