Baked Ziti Ground Beef Mozzarella (Printable)
Enjoy a comforting Italian-American casserole with tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted mozzarella, perfect for family meals.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
→ Meat Sauce
02 - 1.1 pounds ground beef
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Cheeses
13 - 9 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 4 ounces ricotta cheese
15 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Garnish (optional)
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped
# How-To:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Boil ziti in a large pot of salted water until just under al dente; drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until softened, about 3 minutes, then add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until thoroughly browned. Drain any excess fat.
05 - Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the drained pasta, the prepared meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella.
07 - Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the Parmesan cheese. Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, then finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
08 - Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
09 - Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
10 - Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley, if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's the ultimate comfort food hug after a long day, wrapping you in warmth and deliciousness.
- You'll find yourself making extra just for the joy of seeing those happy faces around the dinner table.
02 -
- Undercooking your pasta by a minute or two before baking is crucial, otherwise, it will turn mushy in the oven.
- Draining the fat from the ground beef makes a huge difference; it keeps the dish from becoming greasy and heavy.
03 -
- Always grate your own mozzarella and Parmesan; the pre-shredded varieties often contain anti-caking agents that hinder optimal melting.
- Don't be shy with the salt in the pasta water; it's your only chance to season the pasta itself from the inside out.