Baked Ziti with Ground Beef & Ricotta
A cozy and filling baked ziti that's saucy, cheesy, and perfect for feeding a crowd. This dish is easy to prepare and makes fantastic leftovers.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauces
- 1 box Ziti pasta or penne if that is what you have
- 4 cups Marinara sauce a big jar
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1 pinch Pepper
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1 small Onion, diced
- 3-4 cloves Garlic, minced
Cheeses
- 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
- 1 large Egg helps the ricotta layer set, optional
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese for the ricotta mixture
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Optional Ingredients
- 1 splash Olive oil optional
- 1 sprig Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Boil the pasta. Cook your ziti in salted water until it is just barely tender, slightly underdone. Drain and set aside.
- Make the beef sauce. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef with the diced onion until browned and soft. Add minced garlic, cook 30 seconds, then drain excess grease. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Mix the ricotta layer. In a bowl, stir ricotta with the egg (if using), parmesan, a pinch of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Assemble. Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a baking dish, spread a layer of the meat sauce, add half of the pasta, more sauce, dollops of the ricotta mixture, then sprinkle mozzarella. Repeat layers finishing with mozzarella.
- Bake. Cover with foil, bake for 20 minutes, uncover and bake another 10 to 15 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For best results, undercook the pasta. Let rest before serving for cleaner slices. Customize by swapping proteins, adding veggies, or using different cheeses.