Description
A comforting dish combining layers of pasta, ground beef, rich marinara, and creamy cheeses. Perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti, beef mixture, and ricotta cheese. Mix well.
- In a greased baking dish, spread half of the ziti mixture, then layer with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat the layers.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding chopped vegetables like bell peppers or spinach. You can also mix different types of cheese for a unique twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg