BEST GROUND BEEF RECIPES: Baked Ziti Recipe with Best Ground Beef

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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