Comforting Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Sausage Recipe

Introduction

This comforting baked ziti combines hearty ground beef and Italian sausage with a rich, flavorful tomato sauce and creamy cheeses. It’s a perfect dish for family dinners or gatherings, offering warmth and satisfying layers of taste in every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1 small red pepper, diced
• 1 small green pepper, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 10 garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 25 oz pasta sauce
• 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 3 tbsp basil
• 2 tsp sugar
• 3 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground preferred
• 16 oz ziti pasta (cooked al dente)
• 16 oz ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred)
• 3 tbsp basil (for pasta filling)
• 2 tsp garlic powder (for pasta filling)
• 2 tsp salt (for pasta filling)
• 1 tsp black pepper (for pasta filling)
• 4 cups mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Dice the red and green peppers, onion, and mince the garlic cloves. Set these prepared vegetables aside in separate bowls to keep your workflow smooth.
2. Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta until al dente following package directions. Drain but do not rinse to preserve starch for better binding. Set pasta aside.
3. Step 3: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking into small crumbles. Cook about 8-10 minutes until deeply browned. Drain excess fat, keeping enough to cook the vegetables.
4. Step 4: Add the diced peppers, onion, and minced garlic to the meat in the skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant. Then add crushed tomatoes, pasta sauce, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, basil, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir well, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
5. Step 5: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, basil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently. Stir in 3-4 spoonfuls of the meat sauce to add flavor and bind the mixture.
6. Step 6: Add the cooked ziti pasta to the ricotta mixture and fold gently to coat evenly without breaking the pasta.
7. Step 7: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Add half of the pasta-ricotta mixture in an even layer, then sprinkle a light layer of mozzarella on top.
8. Step 8: Spoon the remaining meat sauce evenly over the mozzarella, then add the remaining pasta-ricotta mixture. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups). Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
9. Step 9: Bake covered for 30-45 minutes until edges bubble and dish is heated through. Remove foil and broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly. Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving to set the filling.

Tips & Variations

• Use whole milk ricotta for a creamier, richer filling that holds together better than low-fat versions.
• Freshly ground black pepper enhances the flavor more than pre-ground versions.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce while simmering.
• For a vegetarian twist, substitute the meat with sautéed mushrooms and chopped zucchini.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, or warm the entire dish covered with foil at 350°F for about 20 minutes. For longer storage, freeze baked ziti in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, while ziti is traditional, you can substitute penne, rigatoni, or other tubular pasta shapes that hold sauce well.

Do I need to precook the pasta?

Yes, cooking the pasta al dente before baking is important to avoid mushy texture after baking while allowing it to finish cooking in the oven.

Comforting Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Sausage Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 92 reviews

• Author: Lana
• Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x

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Description

A hearty and comforting baked ziti featuring a rich meat sauce made with ground beef and Italian sausage, combined with creamy ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, perfectly seasoned and baked to golden bubbly perfection. This classic Italian-American casserole is ideal for family dinners or gatherings, delivering layers of robust flavors and tender pasta in every bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Sauce

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1 small red pepper, diced
• 1 small green pepper, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 10 garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 25 oz pasta sauce
• 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 3 tbsp basil
• 2 tsp sugar
• 3 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground

Pasta Filling

• 16 oz ziti pasta, cooked al dente
• 16 oz ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred)
• 3 tbsp basil
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Vegetables: Preheat oven to 350°F. Dice red and green peppers, onion, and mince garlic cloves. Set each aside separately to ensure smooth cooking and prevent burning.
2. Cook Pasta and Brown Meat: Boil salted water and cook ziti pasta to al dente following package instructions. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef and Italian sausage for 8-10 minutes, breaking the meat into small crumbles. Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Sauté Vegetables and Simmer Sauce: Add diced peppers, onion, and minced garlic to the browned meat in skillet. Sauté over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are soft. Stir in crushed tomatoes, pasta sauce, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, basil, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Simmer on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes to blend flavors.
4. Make Ricotta Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, basil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently. Fold in 3-4 spoonfuls of meat sauce to add flavor and help binding.
5. Combine Pasta and Ricotta Mixture: Add cooked ziti pasta to the ricotta mixture and fold gently until pasta is evenly coated without breaking it.
6. Assemble the Casserole: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer half of the pasta-ricotta mixture, sprinkle with mozzarella, add remaining meat sauce evenly, then top with remaining pasta mixture. Finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella cheese on top. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
7. Bake and Brown Cheese: Bake covered for 30-45 minutes at 350°F until edges bubble and heated through. Remove foil and broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
8. Rest and Serve: Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes to set the filling before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Use whole milk ricotta for a creamier texture and better flavor.
• Do not rinse the pasta after draining; the starch helps bind the casserole.
• Adjust salt and seasoning to taste during sauce preparation.
• Broiling at the end creates a beautifully browned cheese topping.
• Letting the dish rest before serving helps it hold its shape when plated.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Baked Ziti, Ground Beef, Italian Sausage, Comfort Food, Pasta Casserole, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Meat Sauce