Baked Ziti Recipe with Best Ground Beef



Baked Ziti Recipe with Best Ground Beef

This Baked Ziti with Ground Beef is everything comfort food should be: meaty, saucy, ultra-cheesy, and baked until bubbly with golden edges. Made with well-seasoned ground beef and layered cheeses, it’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or make-ahead meals.

⭐ Why This Is the BEST Baked Ziti

  • Flavor-packed ground beef (garlic, onion, Italian herbs)

  • Three-cheese blend for creaminess and stretch

  • Perfect pasta-to-sauce ratio (never dry!)

  • Freezer-friendly & reheats beautifully

🛒 Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 lb (450 g) ziti pasta

  • Salted water for boiling

Ground Beef Sauce (Key Flavor Layer)

  • 1½ lbs (700 g) ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

  • ½ tsp dried basil

  • ½ tsp dried oregano

  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

  • Salt & black pepper, to taste

  • 1 tbsp tomato paste

  • 1 jar (24–28 oz / 680–800 g) marinara sauce

  • ½ cup beef broth or pasta water

Cheese Mixture

Topping

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella

  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan

  • Fresh basil or parsley (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the Pasta

  • Boil ziti in well-salted water until just al dente (1–2 minutes less than package directions).

  • Drain and set aside.

2️⃣ Make the Best Ground Beef Sauce

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

  • Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until soft.

  • Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

  • Add ground beef; cook until browned, breaking it up well.

  • Drain excess fat if needed.

  • Stir in Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.

  • Add tomato paste and cook 1 minute.

  • Pour in marinara sauce and broth. Simmer 10–15 minutes until thick and rich.

3️⃣ Make the Ricotta Layer

  • In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and ½ cup mozzarella until smooth.

4️⃣ Assemble the Baked Ziti

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

  • Spread ½ cup meat sauce in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

  • Layer:

    • Half the ziti

    • Half the meat sauce

    • All ricotta mixture

    • Remaining ziti

    • Remaining meat sauce

  • Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.

5️⃣ Bake

  • Cover loosely with foil and bake 25 minutes.

  • Remove foil and bake 15–20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

  • Rest 10 minutes before serving.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

  • Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks

  • Caesar or Italian chopped salad

  • Roasted broccoli or zucchini

🔥 Pro Tips for Perfect Baked Ziti

  • Use 80/20 ground beef for juicier sauce

  • Undercook pasta slightly—it finishes cooking in the oven

  • Let rest before slicing for clean layers

  • Add a splash of pasta water if sauce thickens too much

🧊 Make-Ahead & Freezer Instructions

  • Make Ahead: Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours

  • Freeze: Wrap tightly (unbaked) for up to 3 months

  • Bake from Frozen: Cover and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 60–70 minutes

🌶️ Delicious Variations

  • Meat Lover’s Ziti: Add Italian sausage

  • Extra Creamy: Stir ½ cup heavy cream into sauce

  • Spicy: Use hot Italian sausage + chili flakes

  • Veggie Boost: Add mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini

OTHER RECIPES



Best Ground Beef Ingredients: 

 * 1 pound lean best ground beef 
 * 1/2 cup chopped onion 
 * 1 green bell pepper, chopped, about 1/2 cup 
 * 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained 
 * 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce 
 * 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil, crumbled 
 * 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf oregano, crumbled 
 * 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or small clove garlic, minced 
 * 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 
 * 1/4 teaspoon pepper 
 * 8 ounces ziti or elbow macaroni, cooked and drained 
 * 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided 

 Best Ground Beef  INSTRUCTIONS 

Sauté best ground beef, onion, and green bell pepper in a large skillet until onion is tender and beef is lightly browned. 

Drain off excess fat; add tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well; stir in ziti or elbow macaroni and 1 cup of the cheese; transfer to a 2 1/2-quart casserole. 

Top with the remaining cup of cheese. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. 

The best ground beef recipe is ready to serves 6 great persons....nice one 1 Enjoy the meal ! easy-swedish-meatballs.

Baked Ziti Recipe with Best Ground Beef Video :



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