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Baked Ziti with Meat

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A comforting and hearty baked ziti dish featuring tender pasta, savory ground beef, and rich marinara sauce, topped with layers of melted cheese.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces ziti pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
  3. Brown the ground beef (or sausage) in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
  4. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté until the onion is transparent.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper; bring to a simmer.
  6. Combine the cooked ziti pasta, meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese in a large mixing bowl.
  7. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
  8. Top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
  9. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  10. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  11. Let it cool for a few minutes, garnish with fresh basil if desired, and serve.

Notes

Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or bell peppers. For a lighter option, switch the meat to turkey or chicken, or make it vegetarian by omitting the meat.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://doughgirlbylea.com/baked-ziti-with-meat/

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