Description
A comforting and cheesy Baked Ziti with Ricotta recipe that’s perfect for a family dinner. This easy-to-make pasta bake features tender ziti, a rich meat sauce, and a creamy cheese blend, all baked until bubbly and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Cook the ziti pasta until al dente.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion.
- Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Pour in marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes, then simmer.
- Stir the cooked ziti into the sauce.
- Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Dollop with ricotta cheese and sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Add the remaining pasta and sauce, then top with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Cook pasta only until al dente to prevent mushiness.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- This dish freezes well for up to 2 months.
- The casserole can be assembled up to two days in advance and refrigerated.
- If using 80/20 ground beef, drain excess fat after browning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 690 kcal