The Ultimate Cheesy Weeknight Comfort Food

Searching for the perfect cozy dinner? This Baked Ziti with Ground Beef is the ultimate comfort meal that brings everyone to the table. Combining savory, seasoned ground beef with tender pasta and a mountain of gooey, melted cheese, it is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for busy families. Whether you are prepping a meal for a potluck or just need an easy, satisfying dinner for a hectic weeknight, this recipe saves the day without compromising on flavor. Experience the rich, saucy goodness that turns a simple pantry staple into a gourmet-style feast in under an hour! 🍝

⏱️ Time Breakdown

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

📝 Ingredients List

1 lb Ziti pasta
1 lb Ground beef (85% lean)
1 yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
24 oz jar marinara sauce
15 oz ricotta cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper
Fresh parsley for garnish

✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

Large pot for boiling pasta
Large skillet or frying pan
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Measuring cups & spoons
Mixing bowls
Wooden spoon or spatula
9×13 inch baking dish

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti for 2 minutes less than the package instructions for al dente; drain and set aside.
While pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. 🥘
Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the beef. Add the oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce is slightly thick and glossy.
In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta and half of the parmesan cheese.
Combine the cooked pasta, beef sauce, and the ricotta mixture in a large bowl. Toss gently until well coated.
Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the shredded mozzarella and remaining parmesan.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving! ✨

💡 Pro Tips

Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain texture.
Substitutions: Feel free to swap ground beef for ground chicken or ground turkey if you prefer a leaner profile.
Pasta Hack: If you don’t have ziti, penne or rigatoni works perfectly as they hold the sauce beautifully.
Make Ahead: You can assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance; just add 10 minutes to your baking time if starting from cold.

Variations

Boost the nutrition by adding fresh spinach to the sauce while it simmers, or stir in diced bell peppers for an extra crunch. For those who love heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the ground beef as it browns.

FAQ

Can I freeze this dish? Yes! Bake it, let it cool completely, wrap it tightly in foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
Do I need to boil the noodles completely? No, par-boiling is essential so the pasta doesn’t become mushy while baking in the oven.

Baked Ziti with Ground Beef

Author: Samantha Jones
Total Time: 45
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: High Protein

Print Recipe

Description

This Baked Ziti with Ground Beef is the ultimate comfort meal that brings everyone to the table. Combining savory, seasoned ground beef with tender pasta and a mountain of gooey, melted cheese, it is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for busy families. Whether prepping for a potluck or a hectic weeknight, this easy, satisfying recipe delivers a gourmet-style feast in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb Ziti pasta
1 lb Ground beef (85% lean)
1 yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
24 oz jar marinara sauce
15 oz ricotta cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti for 2 minutes less than the package instructions for al dente; drain and set aside.
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the onion to the skillet and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the beef, then add the oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta and half of the parmesan cheese.
Combine the cooked pasta, beef sauce, and the ricotta mixture in a large bowl and toss gently.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and top evenly with the shredded mozzarella and remaining parmesan.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain texture. Substitutions: Ground beef can be swapped for ground chicken or ground turkey.

Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 30
Category: Recipes
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 520
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 850mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Carbohydrates: 58g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 85mg