Baked Ziti with Ground Beef
This classic comfort food features ziti pasta, savory ground beef, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
- Kosher salt to taste
- 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
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 cups jarred marinara or pasta sauce
- Black pepper to taste
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the ziti or penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the pancetta over medium heat until crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove and set aside, keeping the drippings.
- Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease.
- Add onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic, basil, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes; sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in marinara sauce and season with salt and black pepper. Let simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sauce, and crispy pancetta. Stir until well mixed.
- Layer half of the pasta mixture in the baking dish. Top with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Send me this recipe!
Just enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox!
Notes
Pair with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.