Description
Baked ziti with ground beef is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. This hearty casserole combines al dente ziti pasta, savory ground beef, and rich marinara sauce, all topped with a generous layer of gooey melted cheese. With its warm, inviting aroma wafting through your kitchen, this dish not only satisfies hunger but also brings everyone together around the dinner table. Easy to prepare and versatile, you can customize it by adding vegetables like spinach or mushrooms or swapping the beef for turkey or plant-based alternatives. Get ready to experience a delightful medley of flavors that will leave your family asking for seconds!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a large baking dish.
- Cook the ziti in boiling salted water until al dente; drain.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef with minced garlic; drain excess fat.
- Combine cooked pasta, marinara sauce, browned beef, half of the mozzarella cheese, and herbs in a mixing bowl.
- Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes; remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg