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
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
