Description
This easy baked ziti recipe combines tender pasta with seasoned ground beef, rich spaghetti sauce, tangy sour cream, and three types of cheese including provolone, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Layered in a 9×13 baking dish and baked until bubbly and golden, it’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
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1 pound ziti pasta
For the Meat Sauce:
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1 pound lean ground beef
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1 onion, chopped
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2 (26-ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
For the Cheese Layers:
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6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
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1½ cups sour cream
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6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
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2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F so it’s ready when you need it. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil, add your ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. You want it tender but still with a little bite since it’ll continue cooking in the oven. Drain the pasta well in a colander and set it aside.
While your pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef and chopped onion. Break up the meat with your spoon and cook until the beef is completely browned and the onion is soft and translucent, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain off any excess fat so your sauce doesn’t get greasy.
Add both jars of spaghetti sauce to your browned beef and onion mixture, stirring everything together. Let it simmer on low heat for just a few minutes so all those flavors can get cozy together. This is also a great time to taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Grease your 9×13 inch baking dish generously so nothing sticks. Now comes the fun part — layering! Start with half of your cooked ziti spread across the bottom of the dish. Next, lay all of the provolone cheese slices evenly over the pasta. Spread all of the sour cream over the provolone in an even layer (don’t worry if it’s not perfect — it’ll melt and spread as it bakes). Spoon half of your meat sauce over the sour cream layer.
Add the remaining ziti pasta on top of the meat sauce, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle all of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta. Pour the rest of your meat sauce over everything, letting it seep down into all the nooks and crannies. Finish with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese across the top.
Slide your baking dish into the preheated oven and bake uncovered for about 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the cheeses are completely melted, bubbling around the edges, and the whole thing looks golden and gorgeous. Your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing.
Allow your baked ziti to stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This lets everything set up so you get beautiful slices instead of a saucy mess. Use this time to toss a quick salad or warm up some garlic bread.
Notes
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Tear the provolone slices into smaller pieces if you want more even cheese distribution throughout
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Add Italian seasoning to your meat sauce if your jarred sauce needs a flavor boost
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Don’t overcook the pasta — it should be slightly firm when you drain it because it cooks more in the oven
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Cover with foil halfway through if the top is browning too quickly
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Let ground beef drain thoroughly on paper towels for an even lighter dish
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Double the recipe easily and freeze one pan for a future busy weeknight
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American