This easy baked ziti with ground beef is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender pasta baked in a rich meat sauce with creamy ricotta and bubbly cheese. It’s a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd.
Imagine a bubbling casserole topped with golden-brown melted cheese, promising a delicious journey of savory meat sauce, tender pasta, and creamy ricotta.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Savory, rich, tomato-forward with hints of herbs and garlic.
- Texture: Tender pasta coated in a hearty meat sauce, with pockets of creamy ricotta and a delightfully melted cheese topping.
- Total Active Time: Approximately 30 minutes
- Total Cook Time: Approximately 45-55 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
What You’ll Need
At its heart, this dish is a comforting combination of pasta and a flavorful meat sauce, brought together with a creamy ricotta mixture and a generous blanket of melted cheese. It’s a classic Italian-American casserole that’s always a hit.
Ingredient Notes
- Ziti Pasta – This tube-shaped pasta is ideal as its hollow center and ridges hold onto the sauce beautifully. Any short pasta shape will work in a pinch.
- Lean Ground Beef – Provides a hearty, savory base for the rich meat sauce. Using lean beef helps prevent the dish from becoming too greasy.
- Yellow Onion – Adds a foundational sweetness and depth of flavor to the meat sauce.
- Garlic – Essential for that classic Italian flavor. Freshly minced garlic offers the best aroma and taste.
- Marinara Sauce – The star of our sauce, providing a vibrant tomato base. Choose your favorite good-quality jarred marinara.
- Tomato Sauce – This helps to create a smooth, luscious sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
- Italian Seasoning – A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, bringing aromatic complexity to the sauce.
- Ricotta Cheese – The creamy, slightly sweet component that balances the savory meat sauce and adds a wonderful richness. Whole milk ricotta will yield the creamiest results.
- Large Egg – Helps bind the ricotta mixture together, ensuring a smooth and cohesive layer.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – Melts beautifully to create that irresistible, gooey cheese topping we all love.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese – Adds a salty, nutty depth of flavor to both the ricotta mixture and the topping.
- Salt and Black Pepper – Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the other flavors in the dish.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Vegetable Boost – Feel free to add finely diced bell peppers or mushrooms along with the onion and garlic for extra flavor and nutrients.
- Spicy Kick – If you enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added to the meat sauce can be a delightful addition.
- Herbaceous Notes – Freshly chopped parsley or basil stirred into the ricotta mixture or sprinkled on top before baking can add a lovely fresh dimension.
- Cheese Variations – While mozzarella is classic, a blend of provolone and mozzarella can offer a more complex cheesy flavor.
How to Make Easy Baked Ziti with Ground Beef
Making this easy baked ziti with ground beef is a straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results. We’ll start by getting our pasta ready, then create a savory meat sauce, prepare a creamy ricotta filling, and finally assemble everything for a delightful bake.
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Ziti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until it is tender but still has a slight bite. Drain the pasta well.
- Brown the Beef and Aromatics: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned. Drain off any excess fat. Add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef and cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Simmer the Meat Sauce: Season the beef and onion mixture with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir in the jarred marinara sauce and the can of tomato sauce. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, large egg, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined and smooth.
- Pro Tip: Ensuring your egg is at room temperature can help it incorporate more smoothly into the ricotta.
- Assemble the Ziti: In your prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti pasta. Spoon half of the meat sauce evenly over the pasta. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the meat sauce, spreading it gently. Sprinkle about 1/3 of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta. Repeat the layers: the remaining ziti, the remaining meat sauce, the remaining ricotta mixture, and finally, top with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil (this helps the cheese melt without burning). Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 20-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden brown and melted.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the baked ziti rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. This allows the casserole to set, making it easier to serve and preventing it from being too soupy.
Recipe Tips
- Pasta Doneness – Cook your pasta just shy of fully tender. It will continue to cook in the oven, and overcooked pasta can become mushy in baked dishes.
- Sauce Consistency – If your meat sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash of water or broth to thin it out before assembling the casserole.
- Even Layering – Distribute the meat sauce and ricotta mixture as evenly as possible across each layer to ensure every bite is packed with flavor.
- Golden Brown Topping – For an extra browned and slightly crisped cheese topping, you can broil the ziti for the last minute or two of baking, watching it very carefully to prevent burning.
FAQs
- Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the entire baked ziti dish up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed, you might need to add a few extra minutes to the covered baking time to ensure it’s heated through. - What if I don’t have ziti pasta?
No problem at all! Penne, rigatoni, or even rotini would work wonderfully in this recipe. Just ensure you cook them to the correct tenderness. - How do I store leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
Serving Suggestions
- Garlic Bread – A classic accompaniment, perfect for sopping up any extra sauce.
- Simple Green Salad – A light, crisp salad with a vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the ziti.
- Steamed Broccoli or Green Beans – A healthy and simple side that complements the heartiness of the dish.
- Caesar Salad – For a more indulgent pairing, a creamy Caesar salad is always a winner.
Make This Recipe in Advance
This easy baked ziti with ground beef is a fantastic make-ahead meal. You can prepare the entire casserole, from layering to topping with cheese, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just remember to bring it to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking, or add a little extra time to the covered baking period to ensure it’s heated through completely. For even longer storage, you can bake the ziti, let it cool completely, and then freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently.
Easy Baked Ziti with Ground Beef
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Description
This classic baked ziti recipe is pure comfort in a dish, featuring hearty layers of tender pasta, savory beef, and creamy ricotta, all baked under a blanket of melted cheese. It’s easy to make and perfect for a family meal.
Ingredients
1 lb ziti pasta
1 lb lean ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
1 large egg
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
First, prepare your oven and baking dish, then cook the ziti pasta until al dente and drain it.
Brown the ground beef with onion and garlic, then season and stir in the sauces to simmer.
In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with egg and Parmesan.
Finally, assemble the layers of ziti, meat sauce, ricotta, and cheeses in the baking dish, then bake until golden and bubbly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Fat: 25 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Protein: 35 g
