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Classic Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce

A serving of baked ziti is lifted from the dish, showing long, dramatic cheese pulls from the melted mozzarella topping.
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A hearty, cheesy baked ziti casserole made with ground beef and a simple tomato sauce, perfect for a family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
  6. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.
  7. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti, half of the meat sauce, and the ricotta mixture. Mix gently until combined.
  8. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Top with the remaining pasta mixture. Pour the remaining meat sauce over the top layer.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and a little extra Parmesan cheese over the top. Pour the 1/4 cup of water around the edges of the dish.
  10. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  11. Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute Italian sausage for the ground beef for a different flavor profile.
  • To make this a make-ahead casserole, assemble the entire dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.
  • For extra flavor, add 1/2 cup of chopped fresh parsley to the ricotta mixture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://littlekitchendiary.com/baked-ziti-recipe-classic-comfort-ziti/