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Ultimate Cheesy Baked Ziti with Hearty Beef Ragu

A thick, square slice of Cheesy Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Sauce showing layers of pasta, meat sauce, and melted cheese.
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A hearty, layered baked ziti featuring a rich ground beef sauce and a generous amount of melted cheese, perfect for a satisfying family meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Mix well.
  7. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti, half of the meat sauce, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix gently to coat the pasta.
  8. Spread one-third of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer.
  9. Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the ricotta layer. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the remaining mozzarella cheese.
  10. Repeat the layering: remaining pasta mixture, remaining ricotta mixture, remaining meat sauce, and top with the final 2 cups of mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan.
  11. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese topping is melted and lightly golden brown.
  12. Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer sauce, substitute 1/2 cup of dry red wine for 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce and let it cook down before adding the remaining sauce ingredients.
  • You can prepare the entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
  • Use a mix of Italian seasoning and a pinch of red pepper flakes for added flavor depth.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchnkudos.com/cheesy-baked-ziti-with-ground-beef-and-sauce/