Description
Hearty baked ziti with ground beef and ricotta delivers a comforting Italian-American classic straight from home kitchens. Layered with rich marinara, melted cheese, and savory beef, this dish promises a satisfying meal that brings warmth to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef
- 1 egg
Pasta and Cheese:
- 400 g (14 oz) ziti or penne pasta
- 250 g (1 cup) ricotta cheese
- 100 g (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 50 g (½ cup) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Other Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jar (700 ml / 24 oz) marinara sauce (or homemade tomato sauce)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a toasty 375F, preparing a welcoming environment for your hearty pasta dish.
- Fill a spacious pot with water, generously season with salt, and bring to a rolling boil.
- Submerge the ziti pasta into the bubbling water, allowing it to cook until achieving a perfect al dente texture, following the package’s recommended timing.
- Carefully drain the pasta in a colander, letting excess water cascade away, then set the cooked noodles aside.
- In a robust skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbly fragments as it sizzles and caramelizes.
- Incorporate minced garlic and diced onions into the meat, stirring frequently to prevent burning and develop a rich, aromatic base.
- Pour marinara sauce into the meat mixture, allowing the flavors to meld and simmer gently for several minutes.
- Blend ricotta cheese with chopped parsley, creating a creamy and herbaceous filling that will add luxurious texture to the dish.
- Layer the journey in a generously sized baking dish: first spread a thin coating of meat sauce, then arrange a bed of cooked pasta.
- Dollop ricotta mixture across the pasta, followed by a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
- Repeat layering process, ensuring each component is evenly distributed for maximum flavor integration.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, creating a protective shield during initial baking.
- Slide the covered dish into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for approximately 25 minutes.
- Remove foil during the final 10 minutes of cooking to encourage a golden, slightly crispy cheese topping.
- Extract the bubbling, aromatic ziti from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to settle and dish to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Choose a hearty ground beef with at least 15% fat content for maximum flavor and juiciness in the dish.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian version that maintains similar texture and protein levels.
- Drain excess fat from the beef after browning to reduce overall dish calories without compromising taste.
- For a gluten-free adaptation, use gluten-free ziti or penne pasta and ensure all other ingredients like marinara sauce are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 605
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg