Description
Indulge in a comforting baked ziti featuring tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and melty cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Begin your baked ziti adventure by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the ziti pasta and cook it until it reaches the al dente stage. After cooking, drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside while you prepare the meat sauce.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté it until it becomes translucent and aromatic. Following the onion, toss in the minced garlic and sauté briefly.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through. Once done, drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- With the ground beef cooked, stir in the marinara sauce along with the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Allow it to simmer over low heat for 10–15 minutes.
- While the sauce simmers, combine the ricotta cheese with half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with the meat sauce. Stir gently until the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish to prevent sticking. Layer half of the pasta mixture into the baking dish, spread the ricotta mixture on top, then sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat with the remaining pasta and top with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Slide your assembled ziti into the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes. If desired, broil for an additional 2–3 minutes to achieve a crispy, golden crust.
- Allow your baked ziti to rest for 5–10 minutes. Before serving, garnish with freshly chopped basil.
Notes
Feel free to customize the recipe with your choice of proteins and vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Protein: 25 g