Description
This Best Ever Baked Ziti is a hearty, cheesy, and flavorful pasta dish that’s packed with ground beef (or sausage), marinara sauce, and plenty of mozzarella and Parmesan. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep. With its rich and savory tomato sauce and gooey cheese, it’s a dish everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground sausage)
- 28 ounces marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups canned diced tomatoes (don’t drain)
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Ziti Pasta:
- Cook the Pasta:
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the ziti pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the Meat Sauce:
-
Cook the Meat:
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef or sausage over medium heat. Use a spoon to break it up into small pieces as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat. -
Add the Sauce Ingredients:
To the skillet, add the marinara sauce, canned diced tomatoes (with juices), garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer on low for about 10 minutes to meld the flavors together.
Assemble the Baked Ziti:
-
Mix Pasta with Sauce:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta and the meat sauce mixture. Stir in the cubed fresh mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix until everything is well-coated. -
Transfer to Baking Dish:
Pour the pasta and sauce mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly. -
Top with Cheese:
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta.
Bake:
- Bake the Ziti:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the ziti, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
Serve:
- Enjoy:
Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- Make Ahead: You can prepare this dish ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking. Just cover it with foil and bake for an extra 10 minutes, or until heated through.
- Meat Variations: Feel free to use ground sausage or a combination of ground beef and sausage for added flavor.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the meat and use a meatless marinara sauce for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Pasta
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian, American