Description
Baked Ziti with Ground Beef is the ultimate comfort food that brings warmth and joy to any gathering. This dish features layers of tender ziti pasta, savory ground beef, and gooey cheese, all baked to perfection. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this crowd-pleaser will have everyone asking for seconds. With simple ingredients and effortless preparation, you can create a delicious meal that feels like home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil salted water in a large pot. Add ziti and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, then add ground beef until browned; drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce with the browned beef and simmer on low for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, blend ricotta cheese with salt, pepper, and chopped basil.
- In a greased baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti, half of the meat sauce mixture, dollops of the ricotta mix, and half of the mozzarella. 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 brown.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg