Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Ricotta
A classic Italian-American dish that warms the heart with its cheesy and hearty combination of ziti, ground beef, and ricotta.
Ingredients
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 pound Ziti pasta
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese Divided
- ½ cup Grated Parmesan cheese
Meat and Sauce
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 2 cups Marinara sauce
Vegetables and Seasoning
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- to taste Salt and pepper
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cooking
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic together until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
Assembly
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta, the beef and sauce mixture, ricotta cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella. Stir gently to mix all the ingredients evenly.
- Pour this mixture into a 9 by 13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top, followed by the grated Parmesan.
Baking
- Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
- Let the baked ziti cool slightly before serving. For a fresh touch, garnish with chopped fresh basil if desired.
Notes
To save time, you can prepare the beef and sauce mixture a day ahead. Feel free to add vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms to enhance flavors. Mix different types of cheese for variety as well.