Easy Baked Ziti Recipe with Cheesy Layers and Ground Beef

Table of Contents

• Key Takeaways
• Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
• Comfort Food Classic: A Weeknight Savior
• How to Elevate Your Easy Baked Ziti at Home
• Family-Friendly, Freezer-Ready
• Easy Baked Ziti Recipe Tips from Lila Cooks
• Notes & Tips

Key Takeaways

This easy baked ziti recipe from Lila Cooks is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights or Sunday dinners. With savory ground beef, creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and a rich marinara sauce, it brings everyone to the table. It’s easy to make, can be prepared ahead of time, and is sure to become a household favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Ziti Recipe

There’s something magical about a casserole bubbling with cheese, pasta, and sauce. This easy baked ziti recipe has that magic. From the moment I first made it for my family, it’s been on constant rotation. The combination of bold Italian flavors and cozy textures is simply irresistible. And yes, the main keyword here—easy baked ziti recipe—truly describes this dish! It’s not just delicious; it’s doable even on the busiest days.

Comfort Food Classic: A Weeknight Savior

If you’re craving cheesy comfort food that also works as a practical weeknight dinner, this is it. Whether you’re new to cooking or an experienced home chef, you’ll appreciate how approachable this recipe is. The easy baked ziti recipe requires just one pan for the meat sauce and one baking dish—simple clean-up, big flavor.

How to Elevate Your Easy Baked Ziti at Home

At Lila Cooks, I love transforming everyday recipes into something special. To elevate your easy baked ziti recipe, try mixing in sautéed mushrooms or using spicy Italian sausage instead of ground beef. You can even layer in fresh spinach for a nutritious boost. A crispy breadcrumb topping adds texture and a bakery-style finish.

Family-Friendly, Freezer-Ready

This easy baked ziti recipe is ideal for meal prepping. You can assemble it ahead of time and freeze it until you’re ready to bake. It’s also a lifesaver for potlucks or feeding a crowd. Everyone loves it—even the pickiest eaters. It’s also one of those easy recipes with ground beef that offers both convenience and deep flavor.

Easy Baked Ziti Recipe Tips from Lila Cooks

Want to make your baked ziti stand out? Don’t skip the fresh parsley garnish—it adds a pop of color and freshness. Use high-quality marinara for the best flavor, or make your own if you have the time. This dish is one of my favorite quick and easy recipes because it works every single time. The ricotta mixture is key to that creamy, indulgent texture.

Notes & Tips

For an extra cheesy bite, double up on the mozzarella. Feel free to switch out the ground beef with turkey or even lentils for a vegetarian twist. As one of the best baked noodle & pasta recipes, it’s extremely versatile and forgiving. Make it your own, and don’t be afraid to experiment!

Easy Baked Ziti Recipe with Cheesy Layers and Ground Beef

Easy baked ziti recipe with cheesy layers and rich meat sauce—perfect for any dinner table.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

Course: Dinners

Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: baked noodle & pasta recipes, cheesey potatoes easy recipe, comfort food easy recipes, easy baked ziti recipe, easy recipes for dinner, easy recipes with ground beef, quick and easy recipes

Servings: 8 servings

Author: Lila

Ingredients

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
• 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 2–3 minutes, then add garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
5. Stir in the marinara sauce and season with salt, pepper, and basil. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
6. In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese with the egg and half of the mozzarella cheese.
7. Add cooked pasta to the meat sauce and stir to combine.
8. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half the pasta mixture, then layer with ricotta mixture, and top with the remaining pasta.
9. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
10. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
11. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Feel free to substitute ground beef with Italian sausage or add a handful of spinach for extra greens.