Description
This comforting and protein-packed baked ziti is the perfect hearty family dinner. Combining tender pasta with a robust, seasoned ground beef marinara sauce and a decadent layer of creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella, this casserole is as satisfying as it is simple. Designed for busy weeknights, it serves as an excellent, freezer-friendly meal prep solution that tastes even better when assembled ahead of time.
Ingredients
16 oz Ziti Pasta
1 lb Ground Beef (85% lean)
24 oz Marinara Sauce
15 oz Ricotta Cheese (whole milk)
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until al dente.
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through, then drain the grease.
Mix the cooked beef with the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning in the skillet.
Stir the cooked, drained pasta into the meat sauce until evenly coated.
Spread half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
Distribute dollops of ricotta cheese over the pasta, followed by half of the mozzarella.
Add the remaining pasta mixture, top with the rest of the mozzarella and the parmesan cheese.
Bake for 45 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
Penne pasta can be used as a substitute for ziti. Shredding the mozzarella by hand is recommended for a better melt. Let the dish sit for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Trending
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx 1/8 of dish)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
