If you are looking for a comforting baked pasta dinner with savory ground beef, rich tomato sauce, tender pasta, creamy ricotta, and plenty of melted cheese, this Cheesy Baked Ziti with Ground Beef is an excellent recipe to make. Ziti pasta is layered with a hearty beef marinara, ricotta-Parmesan mixture, mozzarella, and extra cheese, then baked until bubbling and beautifully golden.
This recipe is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, holidays, meal prep, or whenever you need a filling casserole that can feed a crowd. The beef adds plenty of savory flavor, while ricotta keeps the center creamy and mozzarella creates that classic stretchy cheese topping.
One of the best things about baked ziti is that it can be assembled ahead of time, refrigerated, and baked when you are ready to eat. Serve it with garlic bread and a fresh salad for an easy Italian-American comfort-food dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Baked Ziti with Ground Beef
The combination of ground beef, marinara, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan makes every serving rich and satisfying.
Cooking the ziti slightly under al dente prevents it from becoming too soft during baking.
The pasta is layered rather than simply covered with cheese, so the creamy filling and meat sauce are distributed throughout the casserole.
It is also extremely customizable. You can add Italian sausage, spinach, mushrooms, pepperoni, extra vegetables, or different cheeses.
Leftovers reheat very well, making this an excellent recipe for meal prep.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for the pasta water
- 1 teaspoon olive oil, optional
For the Ground Beef Sauce
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
For the Ricotta Filling
- 15 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Cheese Topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded provolone or Monterey Jack cheese, optional
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
For Garnishing
- Fresh basil
- Fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Red pepper flakes, optional
How to Make Cheesy Baked Ziti with Ground Beef
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring the Pasta Water to a Boil
Fill a large pot with water.
Add salt and bring it to a rolling boil.
3. Cook the Ziti
Add the ziti.
Cook approximately 2 minutes less than the package directions.
The pasta should be slightly firmer than al dente because it will continue cooking in the oven.
4. Drain the Pasta
Drain well.
Do not rinse.
Set aside while you prepare the sauce.
5. Heat the Skillet
Place a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add olive oil if your ground beef is particularly lean.
6. Brown the Ground Beef
Add the ground beef.
Break it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon or spatula.
Cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
Ground beef should reach 160°F (71°C).
7. Add the Onion
Add the diced onion.
Cook for approximately 3–4 minutes, until softened.
8. Add the Garlic
Stir in the minced garlic.
Cook for approximately 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant.
9. Drain Excess Grease
If the beef has released a lot of fat, carefully drain most of it.
Leaving too much grease can make the finished casserole heavy.
10. Add Tomato Paste
Stir in the tomato paste.
Cook for approximately 1–2 minutes.
This helps deepen the tomato flavor.
11. Add the Tomatoes
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and marinara sauce.
Stir well.
12. Season the Sauce
Add Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
13. Simmer
Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Simmer the beef sauce for approximately 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The sauce should become thick and flavorful.
14. Make the Ricotta Filling
In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, mozzarella, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Mix until smooth and evenly combined.
15. Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add approximately two-thirds of the beef sauce to the drained ziti.
Toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
Reserve the remaining sauce for layering.
16. Add Sauce to the Baking Dish
Spread a thin layer of the reserved meat sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
17. Add the First Pasta Layer
Spread half of the sauced ziti evenly over the bottom.
18. Add Ricotta
Spoon half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta.
You do not need to spread it perfectly. Small spoonfuls throughout the casserole create creamy pockets.
19. Add Cheese
Sprinkle approximately 1 cup mozzarella over the ricotta.
20. Add More Meat Sauce
Spoon some of the reserved beef sauce over the cheese.
21. Add the Remaining Pasta
Spread the remaining ziti over the first layer.
22. Add Remaining Ricotta
Spoon the remaining ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta.
23. Add Remaining Sauce
Spread the remaining ground beef sauce over the top.
24. Add Mozzarella
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella generously over the casserole.
25. Add Provolone
If using, add the shredded provolone or Monterey Jack.
26. Finish with Parmesan
Sprinkle Parmesan evenly over the cheese.
27. Cover the Casserole
Cover loosely with foil.
If necessary, spray the underside of the foil lightly with nonstick cooking spray so the cheese does not stick.
28. Bake Covered
Bake for approximately 20 minutes.
This allows the center to heat thoroughly without drying out the cheese.
29. Remove the Foil
Carefully uncover the casserole.
30. Continue Baking
Bake uncovered for another 15–20 minutes.
The sauce should be bubbling around the edges and the cheese completely melted.
31. Broil for Extra Browning
For a more golden cheese topping, broil for approximately 1–2 minutes.
Watch carefully.
32. Rest
Remove the baked ziti from the oven.
Let it rest for approximately 10–15 minutes before serving.
This helps the layers set and makes the casserole easier to scoop.
33. Garnish
Finish with fresh basil, parsley, extra Parmesan, cracked black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
34. Serve
Spoon generous portions onto plates and serve hot.
What to Serve With Cheesy Baked Ziti
Garlic bread is one of the best side dishes because it is perfect for soaking up extra meat sauce.
Other excellent options include:
- Breadsticks
- Caesar salad
- Garden salad
- Arugula salad
- Roasted broccoli
- Garlic asparagus
- Green beans
- Roasted zucchini
- Brussels sprouts
For a larger Italian-inspired dinner, serve baked ziti with meatballs, sausage, or roasted chicken.
Tips for the Best Baked Ziti
Cook the pasta slightly under al dente.
Use a thick meat sauce rather than a watery one.
Drain excessive grease from the ground beef.
Use whole-milk ricotta for a creamier texture.
Do not skip the egg in the ricotta mixture because it helps the filling hold together.
Layer the cheese throughout the casserole.
Use low-moisture mozzarella for the best melting.
Bake covered first.
Uncover near the end for a golden topping.
Let the casserole rest before serving.
Easy Recipe Variations
Italian Sausage Baked Ziti
Replace half of the ground beef with mild or spicy Italian sausage.
Meat Lovers Baked Ziti
Add sausage, pepperoni, and crispy bacon to the ground beef sauce.
Spinach Ricotta Baked Ziti
Mix 2 cups chopped cooked spinach, squeezed very dry, into the ricotta filling.
Mushroom Beef Baked Ziti
Add 8 ounces sliced mushrooms after cooking the onions.
Cook until their moisture evaporates.
Spicy Baked Ziti
Use spicy Italian sausage, extra red pepper flakes, or chopped jalapeños.
Extra Cheesy Baked Ziti
Add provolone, fontina, or additional mozzarella between the layers.
Creamy Baked Ziti
Stir ½ cup heavy cream into the meat sauce before assembling.
Ground Turkey Baked Ziti
Replace the beef with ground turkey and cook it to 165°F (74°C).
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftover baked ziti to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
To reheat individual portions, microwave in short intervals until hot.
For larger portions, place the ziti in a covered baking dish and reheat at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
Add a spoonful of marinara before reheating if the pasta looks dry.
Freezing Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is an excellent freezer meal.
For the best results, assemble the casserole but do not bake it.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap followed by foil.
Freeze for up to approximately 2–3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
You can also freeze already baked portions in airtight containers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make baked ziti ahead?
Yes.
Assemble the entire casserole up to a day ahead, cover, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
You may need to add approximately 10 extra minutes if baking directly from the refrigerator.
Can I use penne instead of ziti?
Absolutely.
Penne, rigatoni, mostaccioli, or another sturdy tubular pasta will work.
Can I make it without ricotta?
Yes.
Cottage cheese is an easy substitute.
For a smoother filling, blend the cottage cheese briefly before using.
Why is my baked ziti watery?
The sauce may have been too thin, the ricotta may have contained excessive moisture, or the casserole may not have rested long enough.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes.
Spinach, mushrooms, peppers, zucchini, and broccoli can all work.
Cook watery vegetables before adding them.
Can I use jarred marinara?
Absolutely.
A good-quality prepared marinara makes the recipe quicker.
What cheese is best for baked ziti?
Mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan are the classic combination.
Provolone, fontina, or Monterey Jack can be added for extra flavor.
How do I keep baked ziti from drying out?
Use enough sauce, cook the pasta slightly under al dente, and keep the casserole covered during the first part of baking.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Baked Ziti with Ground Beef combines tender pasta, savory seasoned beef, rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, and Italian herbs in one comforting baked casserole.
The key is undercooking the pasta slightly, using plenty of thick meat sauce, and layering the cheese throughout rather than adding everything only on top.
Serve it with garlic bread and a fresh salad for an easy family-style dinner that is saucy, cheesy, hearty, and perfect for feeding a crowd.