Description
Easy Baked Ziti is a hearty pasta casserole layered with rich meat sauce, creamy sour cream, and gooey melted cheese. This comforting family favorite is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, and make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 jars spaghetti sauce
- 8 slices provolone cheese
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion and minced garlic over medium-high heat until browned and fully cooked.
- Add the spaghetti sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well and simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Spread half of the cooked ziti into the prepared baking dish.
- Layer the provolone cheese slices evenly over the pasta.
- Spoon the sour cream evenly over the provolone layer.
- Spread half of the meat sauce over the sour cream.
- Add the remaining pasta on top of the meat sauce.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the pasta.
- Spread the remaining meat sauce over the top and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until hot, bubbly, and golden on top.
- Let the baked ziti rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the ground beef.
- Add mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers for extra vegetables.
- Use ricotta cheese instead of sour cream for a more traditional baked ziti flavor.
- Freeze cooled baked ziti for up to 4 months.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushy baked ziti.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
