Baked Ziti with Ground Meat and Melting Cheese Recipe

Introduction

Baked ziti is a comforting Italian-American pasta dish that combines tender pasta with a rich, flavorful meat sauce and melted cheese. It’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks, offering a satisfying blend of textures and tastes.

Ingredients

• 300g / 10oz ziti or penne pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small onion (brown, white, or yellow), finely chopped
• 500g / 1 lb ground beef or pork (or 50/50 combo)
• 700g / 24 oz tomato passata (pureed tomato)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 cup ricotta (optional)
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese (or other melting cheese)
• 1 cup parmesan, freshly grated (optional)
• Finely chopped parsley or basil (optional garnish)
• 2 tsp fennel seeds (optional)
• 1 tbsp paprika (plain or sweet)
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or 3/4 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook ziti for the time recommended on the packet minus 2 minutes. Drain the pasta, then return it to the pot.
2. Step 2: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
3. Step 3: Make the sauce by heating olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for about 2 minutes until the onion is translucent.
4. Step 4: Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon until it is just cooked through. Stir in the seasonings—fennel seeds if using, paprika, cayenne or chili flakes, onion powder, salt, and pepper—and cook for another 2 minutes.
5. Step 5: Pour in the tomato passata, water, dried basil, oregano, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
6. Step 6: Pour about 2 cups of the sauce into the pot with the cooked ziti. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly.
7. Step 7: Spread the sauced ziti evenly into a 23x33cm (9×13″) baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese over the top if using. Pour the remaining sauce over the pasta, then sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
8. Step 8: Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
9. Step 9: Garnish with chopped parsley or basil if desired, then serve hot and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or a mix of roasted vegetables.
• Use freshly grated parmesan for better flavor and melting quality.
• Add crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat or omit cayenne for a milder dish.
• Ricotta adds creaminess but can be omitted if you prefer a lighter bake.
• If you can’t find ziti, penne or rigatoni make excellent substitutes.

Storage

Store leftover baked ziti covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat portions in the microwave or oven until warmed through. For longer storage, freeze the assembled dish before baking for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare baked ziti in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the dish a day before baking. Keep it covered in the refrigerator and bake it just before serving for best results.

What can I use instead of ricotta cheese?

If you don’t have ricotta, you can substitute with cottage cheese, cream cheese, or simply skip it and add extra mozzarella for creaminess.

Baked Ziti with Ground Meat and Melting Cheese Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.5 from 129 reviews

• Author: Jack
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

A classic Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring tender ziti pasta combined with a rich meat and tomato sauce, layered with creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and freshly grated parmesan cheese, then baked until bubbly and golden. Perfect for a comforting family meal.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 300g / 10oz ziti or penne pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Sauce

• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small onion (brown, white, or yellow), finely chopped
• 500g / 1 lb ground beef or pork (or 50/50 combo)
• 700g / 24 oz tomato passata (pureed tomato)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp paprika (plain or sweet)
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or 3/4 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 tsp fennel seeds (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Cheeses and Garnish

• 1 cup ricotta (optional)
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese (or other melting cheese)
• 1 cup parmesan, freshly grated (optional)
• Finely chopped parsley or basil (optional garnish)

---

Instructions

1. Cook Pasta: Cook the ziti according to the package instructions but reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes. Drain well and return the pasta to the pot to prevent sticking.
2. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to prepare for baking the assembled dish.
3. Prepare Sauce Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté for about 2 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
4. Cook Meat: Add the ground beef or pork to the skillet. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until it is just done. Then, add the paprika, cayenne pepper or chili flakes, fennel seeds (if using), onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook the seasoning with the meat for about 2 minutes to develop their flavors.
5. Simmer Sauce: Pour in the tomato passata, water, dried basil, oregano, and sugar. Stir to combine, bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cook gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
6. Toss Pasta and Sauce: Pour approximately 2 cups of the sauce into the pot with the cooked ziti. Toss well so the pasta is evenly coated with the flavorful meat sauce.
7. Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the sauced pasta to a 23x33cm (9×13 inch) baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Dollop the ricotta cheese over the pasta in spoonfuls, then pour the remaining sauce over. Finally, sprinkle the grated mozzarella and parmesan evenly on top.
8. Bake: Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
9. Serve: Remove from the oven and optionally sprinkle with chopped parsley or basil for a fresh herbal finish. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting baked pasta dish!

Notes

• Note 1: Use ziti or penne pasta as they hold sauce well due to their tube shape.
• Note 2: You can use only ground beef, pork, or a mix for richer flavor.
• Note 3: Tomato passata provides a smooth and fresh tomato flavor; canned tomatoes can be used if unavailable.
• Note 4: Ricotta cheese adds creaminess but is optional.
• Note 5: Reducing the pasta cooking time helps prevent overcooking during baking, and fennel seeds add a subtle licorice flavor but can be omitted.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: baked ziti, pasta bake, Italian pasta, comfort food, baked pasta recipe, cheesy pasta, tomato sauce pasta, family dinner