Description
Baked ziti is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for cozy evenings with loved ones. This delectable dish features layers of tender ziti pasta, savory ground beef, and a medley of creamy cheeses, all enveloped in rich marinara sauce. Baked to golden perfection, each bite delivers a delightful explosion of flavors that will warm your heart and satisfy your cravings. Whether it’s a family gathering or a weeknight dinner, this easy-to-make baked ziti recipe is sure to impress and create lasting memories.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce (no added sugars)
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 handful fresh basil (or dried herbs)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil salted water and cook the ziti until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Stir in marinara sauce, salt, pepper, and herbs; simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with one beaten egg; season with salt and pepper.
- In a greased baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti, followed by half of the meat sauce, dollops of ricotta mixture, and half of the mozzarella. Repeat layers.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 70mg