Baked Ziti with Ground Beef

Introduction

Baked Ziti with Ground Beef is the ultimate crowd-pleasing comfort food, featuring layers of pasta, rich tomato-meat sauce, and plenty of gooey melted cheese. It’s like lasagna’s simpler cousin—just as hearty and delicious, but far easier to make. With ziti pasta holding onto every bit of sauce and cheese, this dish bakes into a golden, bubbly casserole that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

It’s a family favorite for good reason: warm, satisfying, and budget-friendly. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner, a holiday gathering, or meal prep for the week ahead, baked ziti always delivers.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love baked ziti because it’s:

• Comforting – cheesy, saucy, and baked to perfection.
• Simple to make – no complicated layering like lasagna.
• Great for leftovers – reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day.
• Family- and crowd-friendly – it makes a big dish that feeds everyone happily.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Combines the best of pasta, meat sauce, and cheese in one dish.
• Perfect for make-ahead and freezing.
• Customizable with different cheeses, meats, or veggies.
• A budget-friendly meal that feels indulgent.

Recipe Details

• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Course: Main Course / Dinner
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Servings: 8
• Calories: ~480 per serving

Ingredients

For the Pasta & Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb (450 g) ziti pasta
• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce (or homemade)
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 1 tsp salt (to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Cheese Mixture:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus 1½ cups for topping)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg (to bind)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley (optional)

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Cook ziti pasta until al dente; drain and set aside.
2. Brown ground beef with onion and garlic.
3. Stir in sauces, tomato paste, and seasonings; simmer.
4. Mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and parsley in a bowl.
5. Layer pasta, meat sauce, and cheese mixture in a baking dish.
6. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan; bake until bubbly and golden.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Cook Pasta

• Boil ziti in salted water until al dente (slightly firm).
• Drain, drizzle with olive oil, and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook until browned.
• Add onion and garlic; sauté until softened.
• Stir in marinara sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper.
• Simmer for 15 minutes to deepen the flavor.

Step 3: Make Cheese Mixture

• In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and parsley.
• Mix until creamy and smooth.

Step 4: Assemble the Baked Ziti

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce.
• Add half the pasta, then half the cheese mixture, followed by half the remaining meat sauce.
• Repeat layers, finishing with sauce.
• Sprinkle 1½ cups mozzarella and extra Parmesan on top.

Step 5: Bake

• Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
• Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

How to Serve

• Serve hot with garlic bread and a green salad for a balanced meal.
• Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley on top for extra freshness.
• Pair with red wine like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Cook pasta al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven.
• For extra richness, add a splash of red wine to the sauce while simmering.
• Use freshly grated cheese for better melting and flavor.
• Resting the ziti after baking helps it set and slice neatly.

Variations

1. Baked Ziti with Sausage – Replace half the beef with Italian sausage.
2. Vegetarian Ziti – Skip the meat; add mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
3. Four-Cheese Ziti – Add provolone, fontina, or gouda for a cheesier version.
4. Spicy Ziti – Add red pepper flakes or spicy sausage.

Freezing & Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers covered for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze assembled (unbaked) ziti for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and bake as directed.
• Reheating: Reheat in oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or microwave individual portions.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large pot (for pasta)
• Large skillet (for sauce)
• Mixing bowl (for cheese)
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Aluminum foil

Conclusion

Baked Ziti with Ground Beef is a classic Italian-American comfort dish that combines saucy pasta, rich meat, and layers of cheese in one irresistible casserole. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a family or a crowd. Whether you enjoy it fresh out of the oven or reheated the next day, it’s guaranteed to become a favorite in your home.

Print Recipe

Baked Ziti with Ground Beef

Author: admin Cuisine: American, Italian Courses: Pasta

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 45 mins Total Time 1 hr 5 mins

Servings: 8 Calories: 480 per serving

Description

Baked Ziti with Ground Beef is the ultimate crowd-pleasing comfort food, featuring layers of pasta, rich tomato-meat sauce, and plenty of gooey melted cheese. It’s like lasagna’s simpler cousin—just as hearty and delicious, but far easier to make.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Pasta & Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb (450 g)
• 1 lb (450 g)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 oz)
• 1 can (15 oz)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 1 tsp salt (to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Cheese Mixture:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus 1½ cups for topping)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg (to bind)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook Pasta : Boil ziti in salted water until al dente (slightly firm).Drain, drizzle with olive oil, and set aside.
2. Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce : Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook until browned.Add onion and garlic; sauté until softened.Stir in marinara sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper.Simmer for 15 minutes to deepen the flavor.
3. Step 3: Make Cheese Mixture : In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and parsley.Mix until creamy and smooth.
4. Step 4: Assemble the Baked Ziti : Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce.Add half the pasta, then half the cheese mixture, followed by half the remaining meat sauce.Repeat layers, finishing with sauce.Sprinkle 1½ cups mozzarella and extra Parmesan on top.
5. Step 5: Bake : Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Keywords: Baked Ziti with Ground Beef