Description
A hearty and comforting baked ziti dish featuring ground beef, al dente pasta, and layers of melty cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Add the ground beef to a large skillet over medium heat and cook until browned, seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir in minced garlic and Italian seasoning for an additional minute, then remove from heat.
- Combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl, mixing until smooth. Stir in half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan cheese.
- Layer the assembled dish by spreading marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Add half of the cooked ziti, then half of the beef mixture, followed by dollops of the ricotta mixture. Repeat the layering process.
- Finish with the remaining marinara sauce and top with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let the baked ziti rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Consider serving with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. Allowing the dish to rest is key to prevent it from being runny.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg