Baked Ziti (w/ Ground Beef!)
This easy baked ziti has everything you’re looking for: hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty cheese in every bite. It’s made with ground beef, jarred marinara, and simple pantry staples, and comes together with minimal prep! Ready for weeknights, gatherings, or whenever you’re craving something warm and crowd-pleasing.
5 star review
“Easy to put together and prepare. Flavored similarly to lasagna but felt much easier to assemble. Very flavorful without a ton of ingredients. Was a win for my family!”
– Nicole
This Classic Baked Ziti with Meat is a Family Dinner Favorite!
Baked ziti is one of those dishes that feels just right in almost every season of life. I love it for weeknight family dinners when we want something filling and familiar, but it also shines as a make-ahead casserole for busy nights, or as a centerpiece for holidays and gatherings.
My version includes flavors that hit all the Italian-American vibes (just like my top-rated stuffed shells with meat), including a rich meat sauce with garlic, onion, and herbs, a creamy ricotta layered with mozzarella and Parmesan, and saucy pasta that’s hearty and satisfying. The texture is what makes it truly irresistible: tender pasta tucked between layers of sauce and cheese, with distinct saucy, cheesy, and pasta layers in every bite.
In creating this recipe, I wanted it to stay true to the classic baked ziti everyone knows and loves, while making it a little more realistic for everyday life. That’s why it includes all the essentials like pasta cooked just shy of al dente, a ricotta-Parmesan mixture enriched with egg, and the trio of mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta for the ultimate cheesy finish.
And, at the same time, I simplified the process by starting with jarred marinara and quickly elevating it with onion, garlic, and seasoning so it tastes homemade in minutes. The steps are streamlined, the ingredients are pantry- and fridge-friendly, and the final baked casserole is both cozy and crowd-pleasing. It’s the kind of dish you’ll turn to again and again, whether you’re feeding family on a weeknight or serving friends at a holiday table!
Welcome to My Kitchen – Let’s Make Baked Ziti!
Testing Notes from My Kitchen for the Ultimate Baked Ziti
- In my experience, blooming onion, garlic, and seasoning in olive oil before adding the marinara gives the sauce a slow-simmered flavor in just minutes.
- I often assemble the ziti ahead of time and refrigerate it until I’m ready to bake, making it a real lifesaver for busy nights or entertaining.
- Leftovers of this one reheat beautifully and make a cozy, satisfying lunch or dinner the next day.
Baked Ziti (w/ Ground Beef!)
Ingredients
- ¾ pound dry ziti or rigatoni pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon dried no-salt added Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (24-ounce) jar of marinara sauce (or 3 cups homemade marinara)
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional for serving)
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just shy of al dente (it will finish in the oven), about 1–2 minutes less than package directions. Drain (do not rinse) and set aside.
- Make the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef, ½ teaspoon of the salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed. Stir the marinara into the cooked beef and onion mixture. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to allow the flavors to come together. Remove from heat.
- Make the Ricotta Mixture: While the sauce is cooking, in a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, egg, ½ cup of the Parmesan, and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt until smooth.
- Assemble: In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with about 1 cup of the meat sauce until evenly coated. Spoon half the pasta into the prepared baking dish, dollop and gently spread half the ricotta mixture over the top, then add 1 cup meat sauce and sprinkle with ½ cup of the mozzarella. Repeat with the remaining sauced pasta, ricotta, and remaining sauce. Finish with ½ cup of mozzarella and the remaining ½ cup of Parmesan.
- Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Perfectly Cooked Pasta: In testing I found that undercooking the pasta slightly prevents it from turning mushy after baking, so be careful not to over cook it!
Easy to put together and prepare. Flavored similarly to lasagna but felt much easier to assemble. Very flavorful without a ton of ingredients.
Was a win for my family of four!
Nicole, yay, I’m so happy to hear this one was a family dinner hit, and I agree, it’s giving lasagna vibes without the extra work. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and for leaving a reivew!
Delicious! Reminds me of lasagna with less work. Since I have a family of seven, I used a pound of pasta and adjusted the other ingredients accordingly.
Carla, yay, so happy to hear this one was a hit with your family and thanks for your notes on adapting it for a larger family!
I made this yesterday to “test” it as we are having a Christmas event at our house next week, and I wanted to make sure it was good. It was ! I will be making it again as one of the dishes we will be having! Thanks!
Elaine, ohhhh, I like your style! I’m so happy to hear this one passed the “test” to make it onto the Christmas event table. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and for leaving a reivew!