OLD TAC LONED BAKED ZITI INGREDIENTS 16-oz box of ziti ½ pound
Old-fashioned baked ziti with ground beef and three cheeses, ready in 50 minutes. A hearty family dinner that's pure comfort.
This old-fashioned baked ziti is the kind of dinner that fills the house with a smell you remember from childhood. It's got ground beef, a rich tomato sauce, and three kinds of cheese, all baked until the top is golden and bubbling.
You don't need anything fancy. Just a box of ziti, a pound of ground beef, a jar of spaghetti sauce, and some cheese. The whole thing comes together in about 50 minutes, most of which is hands-off baking time.
It's the kind of meal that makes everyone at the table go quiet for a few minutes. Then they start asking when you'll make it again.
About the Ingredients
16-oz (450g) box of ziti
Ziti is the classic choice, but penne or rigatoni work just as well. Cook it a minute less than the package says so it stays firm in the oven.
1/2 pound (225g) ground beef
Use 80/20 for flavor. You could swap in ground turkey or Italian sausage, but then you'll want to adjust the salt.
24-oz (680g) jar spaghetti sauce
Pick your favorite jarred sauce. If you have homemade, even better—use about 3 cups.
8-oz (225g) can tomato sauce
This adds extra tomato flavor and keeps the sauce from being too thick. You can skip it if you only have a big jar of sauce.
15-oz (425g) ricotta cheese
Whole-milk ricotta gives the creamiest texture. If you only have part-skim, that's fine too.
1/2 cup (50g) grated parmesan cheese
Freshly grated parmesan melts better and tastes brighter than the stuff in a green can, but use what you have.
1 large onion, chopped
A yellow or sweet onion works best. If you're short on time, use a cup of frozen diced onion—no need to thaw.
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Oregano is the classic Italian herb here. You can swap in Italian seasoning or a teaspoon of fresh oregano, chopped.
1 cup (115g) shredded mozzarella cheese
This goes into the filling. Use whole-milk mozzarella for the best melt.
1/2 cup (55g) shredded mozzarella cheese
This is for the top. You can use more if you like a really cheesy crust.
2 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh garlic is best. If you only have garlic powder, use 1/2 teaspoon and add it with the oregano.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat and Boil
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti for 1 minute less than the package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Brown the Beef
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Don't drain the fat unless there's a lot.
3. Saute the Aromatics
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add the minced garlic and oregano, and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
4. Simmer the Sauce
Pour in the spaghetti sauce and tomato sauce. Stir and bring to a simmer. Let it bubble gently for 5 minutes, then taste and add salt and pepper if needed.
5. Mix the Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, parmesan, and 1 cup of the mozzarella. This is your creamy layer.
6. Combine Everything
Add the cooked ziti to the sauce and stir until every piece is coated. Then gently fold in the cheese mixture. You want it distributed, but you can leave a few streaks of ricotta.
7. Assemble the Dish
Pour the whole thing into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella over the top.
8. Bake Until Bubbly
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling at the edges and the cheese on top is melted and golden in spots. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips & Tricks
- Don't overcook the ziti. Boil it for 1 minute less than the package says. It will finish cooking in the oven, and you want it to hold its shape, not turn mushy.
- Brown the beef well. Let it get a good sear in the pan before you add the onion and garlic. That browning adds flavor you can't get any other way.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of pasta water. The starchy water helps the sauce cling to the ziti and loosens it up.
Pro Tips
Delicious Variations
Vegetarian
Skip the beef and add a cup of sautéed mushrooms or zucchini. You can also use plant-based crumbles.
Spicy
Use hot Italian sausage instead of ground beef and add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
Cheesy
Stir 1/2 cup of shredded provolone or fontina into the cheese filling for an extra gooey bite.
How to Store OLD TAC LONED BAKED ZITI INGREDIENTS 16-oz box of ziti ½ pound
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer
You can freeze the unbaked or baked ziti. Wrap the dish tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. To reheat the whole pan, cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, until hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this baked ziti ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dish up to a day ahead. Keep it covered in the fridge, then bake it straight from the fridge—just add 10 minutes to the baking time.
Q: What can I use instead of ricotta cheese?
Cottage cheese is the easiest swap. Blend it smooth first for a similar texture. You can also use mascarpone or a mixture of cream cheese and sour cream.
Q: How do I know when the baked ziti is done?
The sauce should be bubbling around the edges, and the cheese on top should be melted and starting to brown in spots. If you want a crisper top, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.
Q: Can I use a different pasta shape?
Absolutely. Penne, rigatoni, or even shells work great. Just use the same amount and cook them a minute less than the package says.
If you make this old-fashioned baked ziti, I hope it becomes a favorite in your house. It's simple, hearty, and exactly what a cold night calls for. Crispy on, stress off — happy cooking!
Old-Fashioned Baked Ziti – Easy 50-Minute Dinner
Old-fashioned baked ziti with ground beef and three cheeses, ready in 50 minutes. A hearty family dinner that's pure comfort.
🧂 Ingredients
- 16-oz (450g) box of ziti
- 1/2 pound (225g) ground beef
- 24-oz (680g) jar spaghetti sauce
- 8-oz (225g) can tomato sauce
- 15-oz (425g) ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup (50g) grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup (115g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (55g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
📋 Instructions
- 1Preheat and Boil — Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti for 1 minute less than the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- 2Brown the Beef — In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Don't drain the fat unless there's a lot.
- 3Saute the Aromatics — Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add the minced garlic and oregano, and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
- 4Simmer the Sauce — Pour in the spaghetti sauce and tomato sauce. Stir and bring to a simmer. Let it bubble gently for 5 minutes, then taste and add salt and pepper if needed.
- 5Mix the Cheese Filling — In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, parmesan, and 1 cup of the mozzarella. This is your creamy layer.
- 6Combine Everything — Add the cooked ziti to the sauce and stir until every piece is coated. Then gently fold in the cheese mixture. You want it distributed, but you can leave a few streaks of ricotta.
- 7Assemble the Dish — Pour the whole thing into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella over the top.
- 8Bake Until Bubbly — Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling at the edges and the cheese on top is melted and golden in spots. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
