Description
This ultimate cheesy pasta comfort food combines al dente ziti with a savory beef-infused marinara sauce and layers of creamy ricotta and shredded mozzarella. It is a hearty, reliable dish perfect for busy weeknights or festive family gatherings, ensuring delicious, authentic Italian-inspired flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
1 pound ziti pasta
24 ounces high-quality marinara sauce
15 ounces ricotta cheese
3 cups mozzarella cheese, hand-shredded
0.5 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
0.25 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
1 pound ground beef (80/20 mix)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until just slightly under al dente.
Drain the pasta completely and set aside.
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until fully cooked.
Combine the marinara sauce with the browned beef.
Mix the ricotta cheese with a small portion of the shredded mozzarella and parmesan.
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
Alternate layers of ziti, cheese mixture, and meat sauce until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous topping of mozzarella.
Bake for 35 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
Drain excess water from the ricotta cheese before mixing to prevent the final dish from becoming watery. Undercooking the noodles is crucial as they will continue to soften while absorbing sauce in the oven. Hand-shredding the mozzarella ensures better melting compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg