Baked Ziti Ground Beef Marinara Mozzarella (Printer-Friendly)
Hearty Italian-American pasta casserole with tender ziti, rich beef marinara, and gooey melted mozzarella, perfect for dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 pound ziti pasta
→ Meat Sauce
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 pound ground beef
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
07 - 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
08 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
12 - 1 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 2 teaspoons sugar
→ Cheese Layer
15 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
16 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
17 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
18 - 1 large egg
→ Fresh Herbs (optional)
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is thoroughly browned and cooked through.
04 - Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes (if desired), salt, black pepper, and sugar. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld.
06 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, large egg, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until thoroughly combined.
07 - Add the drained cooked ziti pasta directly to the skillet containing the marinara sauce. Toss gently to ensure all the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
08 - Spoon half of the sauced ziti pasta into the prepared baking dish. Evenly dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta, then sprinkle with 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat this layering process with the remaining sauced pasta, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella cheese. Finally, top the casserole with the remaining grated Parmesan cheese.
09 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
10 - Allow the baked ziti to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil, if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It&s surprisingly easy to throw together, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
- Every cheesy, saucy bite feels like a warm embrace, instantly turning any meal into a special occasion.
02 -
- Undercook your ziti slightly to al dente; it will continue cooking in the oven, and nobody wants mushy pasta in their baked ziti.
- Take the time to let your marinara sauce simmer for at least 10 minutes; this allows the flavors to deepen and marry beautifully, making all the difference.
03 -
- For an extra layer of flavor in your meat sauce, deglaze the pan with a splash of red wine after browning the beef and onions, scraping up any browned bits before adding the tomatoes.
- If you have the time, prepare the marinara sauce a day in advance; the flavors truly deepen and become more complex overnight, making your ziti even more delicious.