Description
Welcome to your new favorite comfort food! This Easy Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Ricotta is a delightful dish. It combines hearty ingredients that your entire family will love. Imagine tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, savory ground beef, and creamy ricotta all together.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb ziti pasta
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped (optional))
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
Make the Meat Sauce:
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
- Add the diced onion and garlic, cooking until softened (about 3-4 minutes).
- Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, and parsley. Mix well.
Assemble the Ziti:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
- Layer half of the cooked pasta, then dollop and spread the cheese mixture evenly on top.
- Add a layer of meat sauce, then repeat with the remaining pasta, sauce, and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Bake the Ziti:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Serve:
- Let the baked ziti cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 450