Baked Ziti with Ground Beef (Printer-Friendly)
Hearty pasta dish with seasoned beef, marinara sauce, and melted cheeses baked until golden and bubbly.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 lb ziti pasta
→ Meat
02 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
→ Sauce
03 - 24 oz marinara sauce (homemade or high-quality store-bought)
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
06 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Cheese
07 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Seasonings
10 - 1 tsp dried basil
11 - 1 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1/2 tsp salt (plus more for pasta water)
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
14 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a light coating of olive oil.
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 well and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook while breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon until fully browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
05 - Pour marinara sauce into the skillet with the browned beef. Add dried basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir well and let simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
06 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, meat sauce, half of the mozzarella cheese, and all of the ricotta cheese. Fold together gently until pasta is evenly coated.
07 - Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the remaining mozzarella and half of the Parmesan. Top with the remaining pasta, then finish with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
08 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes to heat through and melt the cheeses.
09 - Remove the foil and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling around the edges.
10 - Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the dish to set and makes serving easier.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The make ahead nature means you can assemble it in the morning and bake when everyone arrives
- Leftovers actually taste better the next day, if they last that long
02 -
- I learned the hard way that skipping the foil for the first 20 minutes leads to dried out cheese on top
- Letting it rest is not optional, the pieces hold together much better and you avoid burning your mouth
03 -
- Undercook the pasta by 1 to 2 minutes since it absorbs sauce and continues baking
- Room temperature ingredients mix more easily, so take the ricotta out while you prep everything else