Cheesy Baked Ziti Family Feast
Cheesy Baked Ziti Family Feast
Ingredients
For the Ziti and Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 6 ounces tomato paste, canned
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Cheese Filling and Topping
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese, whole milk
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess grease.
⏱️ 8 min
- 3
Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the beef and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 6 min
- 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min
- 5
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, the large egg, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with the meat sauce, tossing until the pasta is evenly coated.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 7
Spread half of the pasta and meat sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Carefully spoon the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta layer. Top with the remaining pasta and meat sauce.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 9
Remove from the oven and let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set and makes for easier serving.
⏱️ 10 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cheesy Baked Ziti Family Feast
Ingredients
For the Ziti and Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 6 ounces tomato paste, canned
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Cheese Filling and Topping
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese, whole milk
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess grease.
⏱️ 8 min - 3
Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the beef and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 6 min - 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min - 5
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, the large egg, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with the meat sauce, tossing until the pasta is evenly coated.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 7
Spread half of the pasta and meat sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Carefully spoon the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta layer. Top with the remaining pasta and meat sauce.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 9
Remove from the oven and let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set and makes for easier serving.
⏱️ 10 min