Baked Ziti Recipe (with Ricotta)
This baked ziti with ricotta dish makes the perfect meal when you’re looking for something filling, tasty, and accessible. Tender pasta in a rich marinara with cheese baked until bubbly. This is the best make-ahead casserole.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 32 oz marinara sauce
- 14.5 oz crushed tomatoes
- 16 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded shredded
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions.
- Add ground beef and onion into a large skillet. Over medium-high heat, brown meat, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Once the meat is mostly cooked, add garlic and Italian seasoning.
- Add the marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a light simmer, and then add in the pasta.
- Into a 9x13 casserole dish, pour a layer of the pasta mixture. Add half the ricotta in an even layer. Then sprinkle half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Add the remaining pasta and finish with a layer of the remaining cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese bubbles.
- Serve, and enjoy friends!
Notes
- Pasta: Boil pasta to Al dente for the best texture.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Freeze: Assemble the pasta in a freezer-safe dish, and don't bake. Freeze and store for up to 2 months. When you are ready to cook, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual.