Description
Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Ricotta is a comforting Italian-American classic layered with hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and plenty of melted cheese. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish for family dinners, potlucks, or weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Cook the ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and cook the ground beef until browned. Add chopped onion and garlic, and cook until softened.
- Stir in marinara sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
- In the prepared baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce. Add half of the cooked ziti, then dollop and spread the ricotta mixture on top.
- Layer with half of the remaining meat sauce, then the rest of the ziti, and top with the remaining meat sauce.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil, if desired.
Notes
- Use Italian sausage or a mix of beef and sausage for extra flavor.
- Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated overnight before baking.
- Freezes well — wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months.
- Serve with a green salad and garlic bread for a full meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: baked ziti, ricotta pasta bake, ground beef pasta, cheesy baked pasta, Italian casserole