Baked Ziti with Ground Beef – A Cozy Oven Dish That Feels Like Home

Name: Baked Ziti with Ground Beef
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb ziti pasta; 1 lb ground beef; 1 medium onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 28 oz crushed tomatoes; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp dried basil; Salt and black pepper to taste; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup ricotta cheese; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

INAYA 2 days ago

0 0 4 minutes read

Baked Ziti with Ground Beef – A Cozy Oven Dish That Feels Like Home

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The Story & Intro

Hi, I’m INAYA, 38, from the beautiful island of Crete in Greece. Cooking has been part of my life since I was a child, learning from my grandmother how to make traditional Greek dishes full of love and flavor. I believe food brings people together, especially women who want to share warmth and happiness through cooking.

When I make Baked Ziti with Ground Beef, I feel that same warmth I felt as a little girl standing next to my grandmother’s old stove. Even though this dish isn’t traditionally Greek, it found a place in my kitchen many years ago when I started cooking for my own family. Baked Ziti with Ground Beef reminds me that food doesn’t need borders to feel like home.

I like to keep things simple but tasty, mixing classic recipes with a little creativity. Sometimes my kitchen gets messy, but that’s where the fun is! When I prepare Baked Ziti with Ground Beef, I always cook with music playing, sauce bubbling, and the oven warming the whole house. Whether you’re new to cooking or have some experience, I’m here to help you enjoy making delicious meals that feel like home.

Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories. And Baked Ziti with Ground Beef has become one of those recipes that brings everyone to the table before I even call them.

Why I Love Making This Recipe

I love Baked Ziti with Ground Beef because it never fails me. I can make it on a busy weekday, for a Sunday family lunch, or when someone I love needs comfort on a hard day. The combination of pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese feels like a hug straight from the oven.

I also love how forgiving this recipe feels. I can adjust it, add a little more cheese, sneak in vegetables, or make it ahead of time. Baked Ziti with Ground Beef teaches me that good cooking doesn’t need perfection it needs care.

Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets

I always start with good ingredients, but nothing fancy. My grandmother taught me that simple food made with attention always tastes better.

For this Baked Ziti with Ground Beef, I use ziti pasta because it holds the sauce beautifully. I choose ground beef with some fat because flavor matters. I use onion and garlic for the base, crushed tomatoes for richness, and dried herbs that remind me of slow Sundays.

My little secret is letting the sauce simmer just a bit longer than needed. That extra time deepens the flavor and makes the whole dish taste like it cooked all day.

How I Make It, Step by Step

I begin by boiling water and salting it generously. Pasta needs salt to taste like something. I cook the ziti until just al dente because it finishes cooking in the oven.

While the pasta cooks, I heat olive oil in a large pan. I add chopped onion and cook until soft and golden. I add garlic and breathe in deeply because this smell always feels like the start of something good.

I add the ground beef and break it apart with my spoon, cooking until browned. I season with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Then I pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, stir gently, and let it simmer.

Once everything comes together, I mix pasta and sauce, layer it with cheese, and bake until bubbling and golden. Every step feels calm and familiar.

How I Serve It at Home

At home, I serve Baked Ziti with Ground Beef straight from the baking dish. I sprinkle fresh parsley or basil on top and bring it to the table while it’s still bubbling. I usually serve it with a simple green salad and warm bread.

Everyone helps themselves, and there’s always silence for the first few bites. That’s how I know the meal did its job.

Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips

I store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to four days. I reheat portions in the oven or microwave with a small splash of water to keep it moist.

I often prepare Baked Ziti with Ground Beef a day ahead, cover it tightly, and bake it when needed. This makes it perfect for gatherings or busy days.

100-Word Short Version

I make Baked Ziti with Ground Beef when I want comfort and simplicity. I cook ziti pasta until al dente, prepare a rich meat sauce with ground beef, tomatoes, onion, and garlic, then layer everything with mozzarella and ricotta. I bake it until bubbly and golden. This dish feeds a family, stores beautifully, and always brings everyone to the table with smiles.

Recipe Card

⏱️ Time

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 1 hour

🛒 Ingredients

Ziti pasta, ground beef, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, olive oil, mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Cook pasta until al dente and drain
Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil
Brown ground beef and season
Add tomatoes and simmer
Mix pasta with sauce
Layer with cheeses
Bake until golden

📝 Notes

Let rest before serving

🍽️ Nutrition

Comforting, filling, family-style meal 🍝🧀

Conclusion

Every time I make Baked Ziti with Ground Beef, I think about how food connects us. This dish doesn’t try to impress it just shows up warm, generous, and honest. I hope it brings the same comfort to your home that it brings to mine.