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Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Ricotta

Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Ricotta


  • Author: chef caterina
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 mins
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

A hearty Italian-American classic featuring ziti pasta, savory ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and creamy ricotta, all baked to bubbly perfection under a golden mozzarella crust. This crowd-pleasing casserole is comfort food at its finest!


Ingredients

Scale

  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional, but adds a pop of color)
    • 1 pound Ziti pasta (or penne if you prefer)
    • 1 pound Ground beef (I recommend 80/20 for flavor)
    • 2 cups of Marinara sauce (choose your favorite brand or make it homemade!)
    • 1 cup Ricotta cheese (creamy and dreamy)
    • 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese (go for whole milk for maximum meltiness)
    • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese (for that extra touch of flavor)
    • 1 medium Onion, chopped (the sweeter the better)
    • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme)
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Fresh basil for garnish (optional, but adds a pop of color)


    Instructions

    Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.,Cook Pasta: Boil ziti 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.,Brown Beef: In skillet over medium-high, cook beef with onion until no pink remains (5-6 mins). Add garlic; cook 1 min. Drain fat.,Make Sauce: Stir in marinara, crushed tomatoes, and seasonings. Simmer 10 mins.,Cheese Mix: In bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, and parsley.,Layer: Spread 1 cup meat sauce in dish. Add half the pasta, all the ricotta mixture, then remaining pasta. Top with remaining sauce.,Bake: Cover with foil. Bake 25 mins. Uncover, add remaining mozzarella. Bake 15 more mins until bubbly.,Rest: Let stand 10 mins before serving.

    Notes

    Make Ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours before baking (add 5-10 mins cook time),Freezer Friendly: Freeze before baking for up to 3 months (thaw overnight),Vegetarian Option: Substitute mushrooms for beef,Shortcut: Use 32 oz prepared marinara instead of separate sauces,Serving Suggestion: Pair with garlic bread and Caesar salad

    • Prep Time: 20 mins
    • Cook Time: 50 mins
    • Category: Casserole
    • Method: Baked
    • Cuisine: Italian-American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1/8 casserole
    • Calories: 520 kcal
    • Sugar: 8g
    • Sodium: 780mg
    • Fat: 22g
    • Saturated Fat: 11g
    • Unsaturated Fat: undefined
    • Trans Fat: 0.5g
    • Carbohydrates: 48g
    • Fiber: 4g
    • Protein: 32g
    • Cholesterol: 100mg