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Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Ricotta

Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Ricotta – Easy Family Dinner Recipe

  • Author: Roni Williams
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Standard

Description

This Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Ricotta delivers a comforting, cheesy Italian casserole that’s perfect for busy families. Tender smoked beef simmers in rich marinara, while ricotta adds creamy texture and mozzarella crowns the bake with golden bubbles. Ready in under an hour, this easy recipe combines pantry staples and classic flavors for a satisfying dinner that feels restaurant‑quality at home. Pair it with a simple green salad and garlic bread for a complete Italian-inspired feast today

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 12 ounces ziti pasta
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until al dente, then drain.
  2. In a skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat, drain excess fat, and season with garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer 5 minutes.
  3. In a bowl, combine cooked ziti, ricotta, and half of the mozzarella. Mix well.
  4. Layer half of the pasta mixture in a baking dish, add half of the beef mixture, then repeat layers. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  5. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15 more minutes until bubbly and golden.
  6. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For extra spice
  • add beef pepperoni or red‑pepper flakes to the sauce. Leftovers reheat well in the oven covered with foil.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg

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Find it online: https://www.cookeroni.com/baked-ziti-with-ground-beef-and-ricotta-easy-family-dinner-recipe/