Baked Ziti with Ground Beef
Baked Ziti with Ground Beef is a comforting dish that brings warmth and joy to any gathering. This cheesy, savory recipe combines tender ziti pasta, rich marinara sauce, and perfectly browned ground beef, all topped with gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for cozy family dinners or casual get-togethers, this dish is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to customize based on your pantry staples.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano and basil)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a large baking dish.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic for about 3 minutes until softened.
- Add ground beef to the skillet; cook until browned (5-7 minutes), draining excess fat if needed.
- Stir in marinara sauce along with herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Cook ziti according to package instructions until al dente; drain.
- Combine cooked ziti with meat sauce in a large bowl. Layer half into the baking dish, followed by half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes; remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 300g)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg