Best Oven Baked Ziti with Ground Beef
If you’re looking for a comforting and hearty meal that’s easy to make, look no further than this Best Oven Baked Ziti with Ground Beef recipe. This dish is a delicious combination of tender ziti pasta, savory ground beef, rich marinara sauce, and a generous layer of melted cheese. The Best Oven Baked Ziti with Ground Beef is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to impress with minimal effort. The secret to this recipe lies in its simplicity and the way the flavors meld together in the oven. The Best Oven Baked Ziti with Ground Beef is not only easy to prepare but also uses ingredients that are readily available in your kitchen. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process to create this mouthwatering Best Oven Baked Ziti with Ground Beef.
Tools to Use
- Large pot
- Skillet
- Large baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon
- Colander
- Aluminum foil
- Cheese grater
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
-
Cook the Pasta:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
-
Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
-
Assemble the Ziti:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with half of the meat sauce. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Spread half of the pasta mixture into a large baking dish.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and half of the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta.
- Pour the remaining meat sauce over the cheese layer.
- Top with the remaining pasta mixture, spreading it evenly.
- Finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese on top.
-
Bake the Ziti:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are slightly browned.
-
Serve:
- Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips for Cooking
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage.
- Add a layer of ricotta cheese between the pasta layers for an extra creamy texture.
- Use freshly grated cheese for the best melting and flavor.
- Make sure to let the baked ziti rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
This Best Oven Baked Ziti with Ground Beef recipe is a must-try for several reasons. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that combines the classic flavors of pasta, ground beef, and marinara sauce with the gooey goodness of melted cheese. The recipe is easy to follow, making it perfect for both novice and experienced cooks. Plus, it’s versatile and can be customized with your favorite ingredients or additional veggies. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a dish to impress your guests, this Best Oven Baked Ziti with Ground Beef is sure to become a favorite in your household.
We hope you enjoyed this recipe for Best Oven Baked Ziti with Ground Beef. It’s a delicious and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Don’t forget to share your cooking experience and any variations you tried in the comments below. For more mouthwatering recipes and cooking tips, be sure to check out our other posts and subscribe to our newsletter. Happy cooking!
Equipment
- Large pot
- Skillet
- Large baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon
- Colander
- Aluminum foil
- Cheese grater
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Assemble the Ziti:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with half of the meat sauce. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Spread half of the pasta mixture into a large baking dish.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and half of the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta.
- Pour the remaining meat sauce over the cheese layer.
- Top with the remaining pasta mixture, spreading it evenly.
- Finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake the Ziti:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are slightly browned.
- Serve:
- Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
