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Baked Ziti with Ground Beef

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  • Author: crockcozy
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Beef, Comfort Food

Description

A comforting baked ziti recipe with ground beef that is easy to prepare, full of cheesy layers, and great for leftovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta (or penne)
  • 1 pound ground beef (lean)
  • 4 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
  2. Cook the pasta in well-salted water just short of done; drain and toss with a little olive oil.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet, add onion, and cook until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  4. Add ground beef, breaking it up, and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Drain excess grease, then stir in marinara sauce, letting it simmer.
  5. Mix ricotta with Parmesan, salt, pepper, and egg (if using) in a bowl.
  6. Toss the cooked pasta with half of the meat sauce in a bowl.
  7. Layer the bottom of the baking dish with meat sauce, then add half of the pasta mixture.
  8. Dollop the ricotta mixture over the pasta and sprinkle with mozzarella.
  9. Repeat with the remaining pasta mixture, top with the rest of the meat sauce, and finish with mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
  10. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
  11. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Feel free to customize with different meats or add vegetables. Can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 22g
  • Cholesterol: 50mg

Find it online: https://www.crockcozy.com/satisfying-baked-ziti-recipe-with-ground-beef/