Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly satisfying Baked Ziti recipe with beef. This classic Italian-American dish is a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring al dente ziti pasta, a rich, savory homemade red sauce infused with seasoned ground beef, a luscious trio of melted cheeses, and the aromatic freshness of basil. It’s a hearty, warming, and undeniably delicious meal that effortlessly transitions from a festive holiday gathering to a simple, cozy weeknight dinner at home.
More than just a meal, baked ziti represents togetherness and comfort. Its layered goodness ensures every forkful is packed with flavor, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for both children and adults. Whether you’re feeding a large family, preparing for a potluck, or simply craving a taste of Italy, this recipe delivers on all fronts.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Ziti with Beef
This baked ziti with sour cream and ground beef isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a culinary hug in a casserole. It’s homey, utterly delicious, and an incredibly simple way to feed any sized group, big or small. Here’s why this recipe will quickly become a cherished favorite in your kitchen:
- Effortless Preparation: With straightforward steps and readily available ingredients, even novice cooks can achieve a spectacular result.
- Make-Ahead Marvel: This dish is perfectly suited for preparing in advance. Assemble it a day or two before, store it in the refrigerator, and simply bake when you’re ready to serve. This flexibility makes it ideal for busy weekdays or entertaining guests without the last-minute rush.
- Freezer-Friendly Solution: Baked ziti is a fantastic freezer meal to have on hand. It’s a thoughtful gesture to send to a friend or family member who is recovering from illness, has just welcomed a new baby, or simply needs a comforting meal without the effort of cooking.
- Universal Appeal: When it comes to baked pasta generously coated in rich red sauce and layers of gooey cheese, what’s not to adore? This dish consistently receives rave reviews from kids and adults alike, ensuring an empty casserole dish every time.
- Hearty & Satisfying: Packed with ground beef, pasta, and cheeses, it’s a complete meal that will leave everyone feeling full and content.
Pair this magnificent baked ziti with our Garlic Herb Twist Bread or Pull-Apart Garlic Bread, and you will officially be declared a hero for the day!
What To Serve With Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is a fulfilling meal on its own, but a few well-chosen side dishes can elevate the dining experience. Soups, fresh salads, and crusty breads are all excellent companions. Here are a few of our favorites, designed to complement the rich flavors of this pasta bake:
- Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad: A light, refreshing salad with a tangy vinaigrette can beautifully cut through the richness of the pasta.
- Creamy Cauliflower Soup or Skinny Vegetable Soup: A warm bowl of soup, either creamy or vegetable-based, makes for a delightful appetizer or a lighter side.
- Garlic Herb Twist Bread or Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks: Essential for soaking up every last drop of that incredible sauce.
- Easy Bruschetta with Fresh Tomato and Basil: A vibrant, fresh starter that introduces more Italian flavors without overpowering the main dish.
- Steamed Green Beans or Roasted Asparagus: Simple green vegetables offer a fresh counterpoint and add nutritional balance to your meal.
Key Ingredients for the Best Baked Ziti
The magic of baked ziti lies in its simple yet robust ingredients. Choosing quality components and understanding their role is key to a truly unforgettable dish:
- Ziti Pasta: The star of the show! It’s crucial to cook your ziti to “al dente” – slightly firm to the bite – before baking. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy during its second round of cooking in the oven. Ziti’s tubular shape is perfect for catching all that delicious sauce and cheese. If ziti isn’t available, penne or rigatoni make excellent substitutes. For a healthier twist, consider gluten-free pasta, chickpea pasta, or lentil pasta.
- Onion: Provides a foundational sweetness and aroma to the meat sauce. Both yellow or white onions work wonderfully in this recipe, offering a mild, earthy base.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable for its pungent, aromatic depth. It’s the backbone of any good red sauce, adding an authentic Italian flavor.
- Ground Beef: The hearty core of our meat sauce. Opt for a lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10) to minimize excess fat. You can also substitute Italian sausage (mild or hot, depending on your preference) for a spicier, more flavorful kick, or use a blend of both. For a delicious vegetarian version, simply omit the beef and load up on sautéed vegetables.
- Spaghetti Sauce: This is where convenience meets flavor. Use your favorite jarred spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, marinara, or pasta sauce. Don’t be afraid to enhance a basic jarred sauce with a pinch of sugar, a bay leaf, or some dried oregano for extra depth. Homemade red sauce, of course, is always a fantastic option if you have the time!
- Mozzarella Cheese: The ultimate melting cheese, mozzarella provides that classic stretchy, gooey texture. You can buy pre-shredded for convenience, but shredding a block yourself often results in a creamier melt.
- Provolone Cheese: Often overlooked in baked ziti, provolone adds a wonderfully sharp, nutty flavor that complements the milder mozzarella. We use slices for easy layering, but you can also shred a block for approximately 1 ½ cups of shredded provolone.
- Sour Cream: This unexpected ingredient adds a tangy richness and creaminess to the dish, creating a more complex flavor profile and a smoother texture. Full-fat sour cream works best, but you can also substitute it with ricotta cheese for a more traditional, slightly grainier texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: A finishing touch that adds a salty, umami-rich layer. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will always offer superior flavor compared to pre-grated varieties.
- Basil: Fresh basil is paramount. Its sweet, peppery, aromatic leaves infuse the dish with a vibrant freshness that dried basil simply cannot replicate. Chop it coarsely and sprinkle it over the top before and after baking for maximum impact.
How to Make This Easy Baked Ziti
Creating this irresistible baked ziti is a straightforward process, broken down into a few simple steps. Follow these instructions for a perfectly layered and baked pasta dish:
- Preheat Oven & Prep Pasta: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions, ensuring it remains “al dente.” It should be firm to the bite as it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Prepare the Savory Beef Sauce: In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 3-5 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent, and the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until it is fully browned and no longer pink, approximately 5-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet for a lighter sauce. Pour in the two 28-ounce cans of spaghetti sauce, stir well, and bring to a gentle simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Remove the skillet from the heat and season the sauce generously with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, adjusting to your taste.
- Assemble the Layers of Goodness: Lightly grease a 9″ x 13″ casserole or baking dish. Spread about half of the cooked ziti pasta evenly across the bottom of the dish. On top of the pasta, layer half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and arrange the provolone slices (or sprinkle shredded provolone) evenly. Carefully spread the 1½ cups of sour cream over the cheese layers. Next, pour about half of the prepared meat sauce over the sour cream. Add the remaining pasta, followed by the rest of the meat sauce. Finally, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top, then finish with ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese and ¼ cup freshly chopped basil.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the assembled baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the spaghetti sauce is bubbling around the edges and the top layer of cheese is melted, golden brown, and slightly bubbly. Once baked, carefully remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the cheese and sauce to set, making for cleaner slices and preventing the dish from falling apart. Serve hot and enjoy every delicious bite!
Pro Tips for a Truly Irresistible Baked Ziti
- Don’t Overcook Your Pasta: Always aim for al dente. The pasta will finish cooking in the oven, and overcooking it initially will result in a mushy texture.
- Season Every Layer: Don’t just season the meat sauce. A pinch of salt and pepper sprinkled over the pasta layers can enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Quality Ingredients Matter: While simple, the quality of your ingredients, especially the sauce and cheeses, can make a significant difference in the final taste.
- Let It Rest: Just like a good steak, baked ziti benefits from a brief resting period after baking. This allows the cheeses and sauce to settle, making it easier to serve neatly.
- Fresh Herbs for Finish: A final sprinkle of fresh basil after baking brightens the flavors and adds a beautiful aromatic touch.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating Instructions
One of the many benefits of this baked ziti recipe is its incredible versatility for meal prep and storage. Whether you want to get a head start on dinner or save leftovers, these tips will ensure your ziti remains delicious:
- Make-Ahead (Unbaked): You can completely assemble the entire recipe in your casserole dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. When ready to bake, remove it from the fridge and let it come closer to room temperature for about 30-60 minutes while your oven preheats. Then, bake as directed. Alternatively, you can pre-cook the pasta and prepare the meat sauce, storing them separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days, then assemble and bake on the day you plan to serve.
- Refrigerator (Leftovers): Store any leftover baked ziti covered tightly in an airtight container or directly in the casserole dish (covered with foil) in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer (Unbaked or Baked):
- Unbaked: Assemble the ziti in a freezer-safe baking dish (e.g., aluminum foil pan), cool completely if any components were warm, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
- Baked: Allow the baked ziti to cool completely. Divide into individual portions or leave whole. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- To Reheat:
- From Refrigerator (Baked): Pull your casserole dish from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes while you preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cover the pasta bake with aluminum foil to prevent drying out and reheat for about 20-30 minutes, or until warmed through and bubbly. For individual portions, microwave until heated through.
- From Freezer (Baked): For a whole casserole, thaw overnight in the fridge. Then, follow the reheating instructions for refrigerated baked ziti. For individual frozen portions, you can microwave them directly, though they might take longer to heat evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Ziti
Absolutely! This recipe is a fantastic make-ahead option. You can assemble the entire dish, cover it securely with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before baking. When you’re ready to cook, simply remove it from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature for about 30-60 minutes before baking as directed. This ensures even cooking. Alternatively, you can prepare the individual components, like cooking the pasta and making the meat sauce, up to 3 days in advance and store them separately in the fridge. Then, simply assemble and bake when needed. The flexibility is entirely up to your schedule!
Baked ziti is incredibly versatile and easily adaptable to your preferences. Don’t hesitate to experiment with additions to make it your own:
- Roasted Vegetables: Broccoli florets, diced bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, or sliced mushrooms can be sautéed with the onions or roasted separately and then mixed into the sauce or layered with the pasta for added flavor and nutrition.
- Italian Sausage: For a richer, more robust flavor, swap out some or all of the ground beef for mild or hot Italian sausage. Make sure to remove the casing (if applicable) and brown it thoroughly before incorporating it into the sauce.
- Ricotta Cheese: If you prefer a more traditional baked pasta, ricotta cheese can be used in place of sour cream for a slightly tangier and creamier layer. You could even do a 50/50 blend of ricotta and sour cream.
- Extra Seasonings: Enhance your sauce with a teaspoon or two of Italian seasoning, dried oregano, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, in addition to salt and pepper.
- Spinach: Wilted fresh spinach or thawed frozen spinach (squeezed dry) can be mixed into the sauce or layered with the cheese for a boost of greens.
If you can’t find ziti, fear not! There are several excellent substitutes that will work perfectly in this recipe. Both penne pasta and rigatoni are similar tube-shaped pastas that are ideal for baked dishes. Their hollow centers and ridged exteriors are fantastic for capturing and holding onto the rich meat sauce and melted cheese. Any medium-sized tubular pasta will generally do the trick.
Yes, absolutely! To make this baked ziti vegetarian, simply omit the ground beef. You can replace it with extra sautéed vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, or even cooked lentils for a heartier texture. Ensure your spaghetti sauce is vegetarian-friendly as well. The layering and cheese aspects remain the same for a delicious meat-free option.
Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
This baked ziti recipe with beef is an Italian favorite, filled with homemade red sauce, ground beef, three cheeses, and fresh basil. It’s such a yummy, cozy, perfect dish to serve for a holiday or a regular weeknight at home.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ziti pasta, cooked al dente
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 (28-ounce) cans spaghetti sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 6-8 slices Provolone cheese
- 1½ cups sour cream (or ricotta cheese)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook ziti pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 3 minutes until softened.
- Add ground beef to the skillet and brown for 5-8 minutes, breaking it apart. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in spaghetti sauce and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a lightly greased 9″ x 13″ baking dish, spread half of the cooked pasta.
- Top with half of the mozzarella cheese and the Provolone slices. Evenly spread the sour cream over the cheeses.
- Pour half of the meat sauce over the sour cream layer.
- Add the remaining pasta, followed by the remaining meat sauce and the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Finish by sprinkling the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil evenly over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown and melted.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Storing Leftovers: Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Bring casserole dish to room temperature, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover with foil and reheat for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
- Make-Ahead Tips: Assemble the entire recipe up until baking. Cover with foil and store in the fridge overnight or in the freezer for up to 2 months. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
Nutrition
(Estimated per serving)
- Calories: 387kcal
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Protein: 17g
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 53mg
- Sodium: 677mg
- Potassium: 202mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 6g
- Vitamin A: 624IU
- Vitamin C: 3mg
- Calcium: 441mg
- Iron: 2mg
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
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- Discover even more Pasta Recipes and Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas to simplify your culinary adventures.
This Easy Baked Ziti recipe is truly a homey, delicious, and simple culinary triumph that family members of all ages will adore. Brimming with a rich, homemade-style red sauce, perfectly seasoned ground beef, a generous blend of three cheeses, and vibrant fresh basil, it stands as a perfect dish to serve for any occasion, from a festive holiday celebration to a comforting regular weeknight at home. Enjoy the process of creating this timeless classic and the joy it brings to your table!