Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Ricotta
Ingredients:
1 pound ziti pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups marinara sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Meat Sauce:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, then drain excess fat.
Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Combine the Ricotta Mixture:
In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese with half of the Parmesan cheese.
Assemble the Dish:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce.
Add half of the cooked ziti, followed by dollops of the ricotta mixture, and a layer of mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, meat sauce, and mozzarella. Finish by sprinkling the rest of the Parmesan on top.
Bake:
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your hearty and delicious meal! 🍝