Description
This easy baked ziti pasta casserole combines tender pasta with a rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella and parmesan cheeses for a comforting and satisfying Italian-American classic perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef, 85% lean
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 5 cups marinara sauce
Cheese and Herbs
- 15 oz fresh ricotta
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- 12 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the ziti pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until just al dente, then drain well. Avoid overcooking so the pasta retains some firmness for baking.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a deep pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion together, breaking up the meat until fully cooked and the onions are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic, salt, and black pepper and sauté for another minute. Pour in the marinara sauce, bring it to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes before turning off the heat.
- Combine Ricotta and Basil with Sauce: Add chopped fresh basil and spoon the ricotta cheese into the remaining meat sauce. Stir gently just to combine, preserving the ricotta’s texture.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread a ladle of the meat sauce mixture evenly on the bottom of a 9x13 inch casserole dish. Add half of the cooked pasta and top with half of the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheeses. Add the remaining pasta on top, followed by the rest of the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
- Bake and Broil: Clear the edges of the casserole dish to prevent cheese from burning onto the dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 25 minutes. Then switch to broil and brown the cheese for 1-2 minutes, carefully watching to avoid burning.
- Cool and Serve: Let the baked ziti cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free while keeping the same delicious flavors.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with cooked vegetables or plant-based meat alternatives.
- To avoid overcooking, slightly undercook the pasta since it finishes cooking in the oven.
- Broil carefully and watch closely during the last step to get a perfect golden cheese topping without burning.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
