Description
Indulge in this comforting baked ziti, featuring layers of pasta, creamy ricotta, and bubbling mozzarella—all baked to perfection for a delightful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz ziti pasta
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 24 oz marinara sauce
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For Garnish:
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- 2. Add ziti pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
- 3. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- 4. Pour marinara sauce into the skillet with the meat and allow it to simmer for about five minutes.
- 5. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. Stir until well combined.
- 6. Spread half of the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish. Layer half of the mozzarella cheese on top, then add the remaining pasta mixture and finish with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- 7. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 25 minutes.
- 8. Once golden brown and bubbly, remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (245g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg