Baked Ziti with Ground Beef (Printable Version)
Tender pasta with seasoned beef, marinara, and three cheeses baked until golden and bubbly.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 lb ziti pasta
→ Meat
02 - 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 blend 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 additional for pasta water
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
14 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional
# How-To:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
02 - Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add ziti and cook according to package directions until al dente, typically 1-2 minutes less than recommended. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent and softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook while breaking up with a wooden spoon or spatula until completely browned and no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes. Carefully drain excess fat from the skillet.
05 - Pour marinara sauce into the browned beef mixture. Add dried basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine and let simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
06 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked ziti, meat sauce, half of the shredded mozzarella, and all of the ricotta cheese. Gently fold together until pasta is evenly coated.
07 - Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly across the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the remaining mozzarella and half of the Parmesan. Top with remaining pasta mixture, then finish with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
08 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes to heat through and allow flavors to develop.
09 - Remove foil and return to oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until 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 Tips:
01 -
- Everything you love about lasagna but with half the work and time
- The cheese creates this incredible golden crust that everyone fights over
- Makes fantastic leftovers and actually tastes better the next day
02 -
- Do not overcook the pasta during boiling or it will turn mushy after baking
- The resting period is not optional, it helps the layers hold together when you serve
03 -
- Room temperature ricotta mixes in more smoothly without leaving white clumps
- Use the large holes on your box grater for the mozzarella if you are grating it yourself