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
- 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
