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Cheesy Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Sauce

A perfect square slice of Cheesy Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Sauce showing layers of ziti pasta, meat sauce, and melted cheese.
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A hearty, classic Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring ground beef, ziti noodles, and multiple layers of cheese baked until bubbly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce (use a good quality jarred sauce or homemade)
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to combine. Remove from heat.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  7. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with half of the meat sauce. Mix gently to coat the noodles.
  8. Spread half of the sauced pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Sprinkle with one-third of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
  9. Spoon the remaining meat sauce over the cheese layer. Top with the remaining sauced pasta mixture. Dollop the remaining ricotta mixture over this layer.
  10. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and a light dusting of extra Parmesan cheese over the top.
  11. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot throughout and the cheese is melted and lightly browned. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a make-ahead option, assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
  • To add vegetables, sauté 1 cup of chopped mushrooms or diced bell peppers with the onion in step 3.
  • For an extra cheesy texture, substitute half of the ricotta cheese with cottage cheese.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hungryhearld.com/cheesy-baked-ziti-with-ground-beef-and-sauce/