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Easy Beefy Baked Ziti

Easy Beefy Baked Ziti

Easy Beefy Baked Ziti is your new go-to for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that’s incredibly simple to whip up. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving a hearty, satisfying Italian-American classic without all the fuss, proving that delicious doesn't have to mean complicated.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat Sauce Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended for flavor)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Pasta and Ricotta Mixture Ingredients
  • 1 pound ziti pasta cooked al dente according to package directions
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided

Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Medium Bowl
  • 9x13 inch baking dish

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound ground beef
  2. Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned beef and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant.
    1 large onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Add the sugar (if using) and season generously with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
    1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, salt and freshly ground black pepper
  4. While the sauce is simmering, cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until it is al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
    1 pound ziti pasta
  5. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix until well combined.
    1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  6. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  7. Add the drained, cooked ziti directly to the skillet with the meat sauce. Stir gently to coat the pasta. If the sauce seems a little thick, stir in a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
    1 pound ziti pasta
  8. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture evenly over the ziti and sauce. Gently swirl them in a bit with a fork or spoon, but don't fully mix them in; you want pockets of creamy ricotta.
    1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  9. Sprinkle 1.5 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the ziti mixture.
    2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  10. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes.
  11. Remove the aluminum foil and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and additional Parmesan cheese (if desired) over the top. Bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are browned.
    2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  12. Let the Easy Beefy Baked Ziti rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the cheese to set and makes it easier to serve.

Notes

store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.