Description
Experience the ultimate comfort food with this hearty baked ziti. Featuring perfectly al dente pasta tossed in a rich, savory tomato-based beef sauce, and layered with creamy ricotta and gooey, melted mozzarella cheese. It is a family-friendly, crowd-pleasing dish that delivers restaurant-quality flavor from the comfort of your own oven. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy Sunday dinner, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation.
Ingredients
1 lb ziti pasta
1 lb lean ground beef
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
32 oz marinara sauce
14.5 oz crushed tomatoes
16 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
15 oz ricotta cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente according to package instructions and drain well.
Add ground beef and onion into a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown until fully cooked, breaking into crumbles.
Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; cook for 1 minute.
Pour in marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes, bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in the cooked pasta.
In a 9×13 inch casserole dish, spread a layer of the pasta mixture.
Add half of the ricotta in dollops, then sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and parmesan.
Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining cheese on top.
Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbling.
Notes
Always cook your pasta slightly al dente so it does not turn mushy during the bake. Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and often taste even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American