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Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Ricotta topped with melted cheese 1

Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Ricotta

A warm and comforting baked ziti dish with layers of ricotta, mozzarella, and hearty ground beef, perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Cheese
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided into layers
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Meat and Sauce
  • 1 pound ground beef can substitute with turkey or veal
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
Vegetables and Seasonings
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • to taste teaspoon salt and pepper
  • optional fresh basil for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, cook chopped onion and minced garlic over medium heat until softened.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet; cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
  5. Stir in marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; mix well.
  6. Combine the cooked ziti and meat sauce mixture in a large bowl.
  7. Layer half of the ziti mixture in a baking dish, then top with half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers with the remaining ziti and mozzarella, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan.
Baking
  1. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  3. Let it cool for a few minutes, garnish with fresh basil if desired, and serve.

Notes

Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to settle. For extra flavor, stir a bit of pasta water into the sauce before combining.