Description
Get ready to dig into the ultimate comfort dish — Homemade Baked Ziti With Ground Beef And Cream Cheese. This creamy baked pasta is layered with rich marinara meat sauce, a luscious cream cheese and ricotta filling, and topped with bubbly, golden mozzarella. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or when you’re in need of new dinner ideas that are both satisfying and easy to prepare. Whether you’re looking for a quick meal prep win, easy recipe for a crowd, or classic Italian-American food ideas, this dish has you covered!
Ingredients
1 pound dry ziti or penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
24 ounces marinara sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef until cooked through.
3. Add chopped onion and garlic. Cook until fragrant and soft, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
5. In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, and 1 cup mozzarella. Mix until smooth.
6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
7. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer meat sauce, half of the pasta, all of the cheese mixture, more sauce, remaining pasta, and top with the rest of the sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
9. Let rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
10. Garnish with chopped parsley and enjoy!
Notes
Soften the cream cheese before mixing for a smooth, even texture.
Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded for better melt and flavor.
Let the baked ziti rest after baking to keep layers intact and intensify flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: easy dinner, baked pasta, creamy baked ziti, ground beef pasta, comfort food