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Hearty Baked Ziti with Ground Beef Recipe

  • Author: Elizabeth
  • Total Time: 80-90 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb (454g) ziti pasta, or other short, tubular pasta
• 1 lb (454g) ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 oz/794g) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (6 oz/170g) can tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups (480ml) ricotta cheese
• 2 cups (240g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that the dish will bake evenly and develop a beautiful, golden-brown crust on top.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to the package instructions, until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, until it’s no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
  4. Sauté the Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté until it’s translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.
  5. Make the Tomato Sauce: To the skillet, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
  6. Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, and the lightly beaten eggs. Stir until well incorporated.
  7. Assemble the Baked Ziti: In a large, greased baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti, followed by half of the ground beef and tomato sauce mixture, and then half of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers, ending with the remaining cheese mixture.
  8. Bake the Ziti: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top, and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbly.
  9. Let it Rest: Allow the baked ziti to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This will allow the cheese to set and the flavors to fully develop.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
  • Category: Lunch
  • Cuisine: Americans

Keywords: Hearty Baked Ziti with Ground Beef Recipe

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Find it online: https://tastetestedrecipes.com/baked-ziti-with-ground-beef-recipe/