A simple and comforting baked ziti recipe made with pasta, marinara sauce, ground beef, and plenty of cheese. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or feeding a crowd.
Author:Mollyyeh
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian-American
Diet:Halal
Ingredients
UnitsScale
1pound ziti pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1pound ground beef
3cups marinara sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1cup ricotta cheese
2cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
Stir in marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine cooked ziti, ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, and the meat sauce. Mix well.
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or sausage.
Use store-bought or homemade marinara sauce.
Can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator before baking.