Description
A comforting baked ziti recipe featuring ground beef, marinara sauce, and three cheeses, perfect for cozy dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring salted water to a boil, then add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside in a bowl.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef, seasoning with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned, about 8-10 minutes.
- Combine the cooked beef with the pasta in your bowl. Add marinara sauce, ricotta, mozzarella (reserve a cup for topping), and half of the Parmesan. Stir until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it evenly. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. This helps everything meld together.
- After 15 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- Let the ziti rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
Notes
Consider using oven-ready ziti to save time. For a vegetarian option, swap beef with lentils and veggies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 55mg