Description
Classic baked ziti with ground beef and ricotta combines hearty pasta with rich Italian-American flavors. Cheesy layers of comfort promise a satisfying meal that brings family together at the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (500 g) ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz / 700 ml) marinara sauce (or homemade tomato sauce)
- 14 oz (400 g) ziti or penne pasta
- 1 cup (250 g) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Warm the oven to 375°F, creating an ideal baking environment for the ziti casserole.
- Pasta Perfection: Boil salted water and cook ziti until al dente, then drain thoroughly, setting aside the cooked pasta.
- Meat Foundation: In a skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into fine crumbles while developing a rich caramelized surface.
- Flavor Building: Sauté garlic and onions with the beef, then introduce marinara sauce, allowing the mixture to simmer and meld flavors completely.
- Cheese Fusion: Combine ricotta with fresh parsley, creating a creamy herb-infused mixture for layering.
- Layering Technique: Begin with a thin sauce base in the baking dish, then alternately layer pasta, meat sauce, ricotta blend, and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
- Baking Process: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover for an additional 10 minutes to achieve a golden, slightly crisp cheese topping.
- Resting Stage: Remove from oven and allow the ziti to rest for 10 minutes, letting the flavors harmonize and the dish settle before serving.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook ziti exactly al dente to prevent mushiness, as it will continue cooking in the oven during baking.
- Meat Moisture Management: Drain excess fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy dish and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
- Cheese Layering Strategy: Distribute ricotta and mozzarella evenly to create consistent texture and prevent dry or overly dense sections in the casserole.
- Temperature Control Technique: Let the dish rest after baking to allow flavors to meld and make cutting and serving easier without falling apart.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 486
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg