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5 from 2 votes

Baked Ziti With Ground Beef​

Made with tender ziti noodles, hearty ground beef marinara, and two layers of cheese, my baked ziti recipe is made without ricotta, but does include chopped pancetta which adds great depth of flavor. This recipe yields 10 servings, making it the perfect hearty meal for feeding a crowd.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 9 minutes
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: baked ziti, baked ziti recipe, baked ziti with ground beef
Servings: 10 people
Author: Olivia Ribas

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
  • Kosher salt
  • ½ cup chopped Pancetta
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (removed from casings)
  • 1 cup white onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 4 cups jarred marinara or pasta sauce or make your own tomato sauce
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 cup Parmesan or pecorino cheese grated
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti or penne pasta until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
    A metal colander filled with cooked penne pasta, perfect for making Baked Ziti with Ground Beef, sits on top of a pot. The background features a light-colored countertop.
  • In a large skillet, cook the pancetta over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the rendered fat* in the skillet. Add the ground beef or sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Remove any excess grease.
    A green-handled skillet filled with cooked ground beef for Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and a blue spatula rests on a light-colored countertop.
  • Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, fresh basil, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
    A green-handled skillet filled with cooked ground beef, chopped onions, and herbs—perfect for making Baked Ziti with Ground Beef. A spatula with a wooden handle and blue blade rests in the pan, which sits on a light-colored surface.
  • Pour the marinara or tomato sauce into the skillet and stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
    A green-handled skillet filled with thick, chunky Baked Ziti with Ground Beef sauce sits on a light-colored surface. A wooden spatula with a blue head rests in the savory mixture.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, prepared sauce, and crispy pancetta. Toss well to coat.
    A bowl of penne pasta mixed with a chunky tomato-based meat sauce and bits of bacon, reminiscent of Baked Ziti with Ground Beef, with a wooden spoon resting inside the bowl on a light-colored surface.
  • Distribute half of the pasta blend into the baking dish you've prepared. Scatter half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan cheese over the pasta.
    A rectangular baking dish filled with Baked Ziti with Ground Beef, covered in rich tomato sauce and generously topped with shredded cheese, ready to be baked.
  • Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, followed by the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
    A rectangular baking dish filled with Baked Ziti with Ground Beef is topped with a generous, even layer of shredded cheese, ready to be baked. The dish rests on a light-colored countertop.
  • Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
    A rectangular baking dish filled with Baked Ziti with Ground Beef, topped with melted, golden-brown cheese and a tomato-based sauce, sits on a light-colored surface.
  • Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil or grated cheese if desired. Enjoy!
    A Baked Ziti with Ground Beef casserole topped with melted cheese, fresh basil, and tomato sauce sits in a rectangular baking dish with a serving spoon, ready to be served.

Notes

*If you’re not using pancetta fat to sauté the ground beef, just replace it with olive oil.
Be careful not to overcook the pasta because it’ll continue to cook in the oven. Boil it until it’s just al dente, then drain and set it aside.
Seasoning each layer of the dish (salting the pasta water, seasoning the meat and sauce) helps build the best flavor.
If your pasta mixture seems dry, stir in a bit more sauce before you bake it.
To Store: Baked ziti with ground beef stores and reheats like a dream. Once it cools, cover the baking dish tightly with foil. You can also put it in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To Freeze: You can also freeze your baked ziti recipe for up to 3 months. If you're making it specifically to freeze, I recommend using an aluminum pan. This way, you can thaw it in the fridge overnight and pop it right in the oven.
To reheat: Just cover your pan with foil and place in the oven at 350°F until it’s warmed through. If you’re heating a small amount of this pasta recipe, the microwave will do just fine!

Nutrition

Serving: 1/10 | Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 26g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 963mg | Potassium: 421mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 10g | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 21mg