Baked Ziti with Ground Beef
Baked ziti with ground beef is the ultimate comfort food that brings warmth and nostalgia to your dinner table. This hearty dish features layers of al dente ziti pasta, flavorful ground beef, rich marinara sauce, and a generous blend of gooey cheeses that create a delightful cheesy crust. Perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings, this recipe is easy to prepare and will have everyone asking for seconds!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook ziti in salted boiling water until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until crumbly; drain excess fat and stir in marinara sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, half the mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and salt until smooth.
- In a baking dish, layer half the ziti, half the meat sauce, and half the cheese mixture. Repeat layers.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil; bake an additional 15 minutes until golden.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg