Beef

How about a comforting pasta dish that is both easy to make and satisfying, then you’ll love this recipe for Baked Ziti. With tender ziti pasta baked in a savory tomato sauce with melted mozzarella cheese, this dish is sure to please your taste buds. The best part is that this recipe is simple to follow and can easily be customized to suit your preferences. So, let’s gather our supplies and create this tasty and nutritious baked ziti dish together!

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta, cooked al dente
• ½ lb ground beef
• 24 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 (32 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce, divided
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. In a medium skillet, brown ground beef, breaking up any clumps.
4. In a bowl, mix egg, ricotta cheese, and seasonings. Add parmesan cheese and ½ of the mozzarella cheese.
5. Combine mixture with brownded ground beef, cooked ziti, and 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce.
6. Transfer into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining spaghetti sauce, then top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes; let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Substitutions

• Italian sausage could be substituted for the beef.
• Penne pasta works well here too

This classic Italian meat sauce is made with a mixture of ground beef, vegetables, and a rich tomato-based sauce. It is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for a cold winter day or any time you’re craving a comforting meal. Bolognese sauce is traditionally served over pasta, but it can also be used in other dishes such as lasagna or baked ziti. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or new to the kitchen, this recipe will step up your game at dinner time.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in large skillet. When starting to shimmer, add onion and sautee until soft and almost translucent, 5-7 minutes.

2. Add garlic, celery, and carrot and saute another 5 minutes.

3. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef, breaking up large chunks and cooking until no longer pink, 8-10 minutes.

4. Add the rest of the ingredients over low-medium heat and let simmer until slightly thickened, 30 minutes to an hour.

5. Serve over pasta such as spaghetti or rigatoni.