Description
A delicious and comforting baked ziti dish with savory Italian sausage, ground beef, creamy ricotta, and melted cheeses.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage and ground beef until browned. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning; simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix cooked ziti, ricotta, and half of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Layer half the ziti mixture in a baking dish, add half the meat sauce, then repeat layers.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, add chopped vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat mix. You can use any type of pasta if you don’t have ziti—penne or rigatoni work well too.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian