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Baked Ziti with Ground Beef

A comforting one-pan meal that layers cheesy goodness, hearty ground beef, and rich marinara sauce, perfect for family dinners or unexpected guests.
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Temps de préparation 15 minutes
Temps de cuisson 40 minutes
Temps total 55 minutes
Portions: 6 servings
Type de plat: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingrédients
  

Main ingredients
  • 12 oz ziti pasta
  • 1 lb lean ground beef Can substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • 3 cups marinara sauce Store-bought sauce can be used for convenience.
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese Can substitute with cream cheese or cottage cheese.
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese For extra creaminess, mix with cream cheese.
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh basil (optional) For garnish.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook ziti in salted boiling water until al dente; then drain.
  3. In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. In a bowl, combine the cooked ziti with ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix until well combined.
Assembly
  1. Layer half of the pasta mixture in a greased baking dish, top with half of the meat sauce, and repeat the layers.
  2. Finish with the remaining meat sauce, then sprinkle the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella on top.
Baking
  1. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Notes

For added nutrition, consider adding vegetables like spinach or mushrooms. You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months and reheat in the oven for best results.