Baked Ziti Ground Beef Ricotta (Printable Version)

Comforting baked ziti with beef, ricotta, and melted cheese—perfect for satisfying family meals.

# Everything You’ll Need:

→ Pasta and Proteins

01 - 1 pound ziti pasta
02 - 1 pound ground beef

→ Sauces and Base

03 - 2 cups marinara sauce
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Cheeses

05 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
06 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Aromatics and Seasonings

08 - 1 medium onion, chopped
09 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - Salt and pepper to taste
13 - Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

# Steps to Cook:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Cook ziti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 more minute until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef to skillet, breaking apart with spoon. Cook until browned throughout. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir marinara sauce, dried basil, and oregano into beef mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer 5 minutes to blend flavors.
06 - In bowl, mix ricotta cheese with half of the grated Parmesan (1/4 cup). Set aside.
07 - Grease 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread thin layer of meat sauce on bottom. Add half of cooked ziti, then spoon dollops of ricotta mixture over pasta. Sprinkle with half of mozzarella and add half of remaining meat sauce.
08 - Layer remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella. Top with remaining meat sauce and finish with remaining Parmesan cheese.
09 - Cover baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake 20 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and bake additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Mix Italian sausage with ground beef for enhanced flavor complexity.
02 - Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or roasted vegetables for heartier, veggie-rich version.
03 - Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 days and reheat in oven or microwave.

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