Ingredients
- Ground beef: 1 pound
- Marinara sauce: 2 cups
- Ziti pasta: 12 ounces
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: 2 cups
- Ricotta cheese: 1 cup
- Grated Parmesan cheese: ½ cup
- Garlic (minced): 2 cloves
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
- Salt: to taste
- Pepper: to taste
- Italian seasoning: 1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat, then stir in marinara sauce, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked ziti pasta and meat sauce. Stir until well coated, then fold in the cheese mixture.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
- For longer storage, freeze tightly wrapped for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes or in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the dish
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Baked Ziti, Meat Sauce, Italian, Comfort Food