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Baked Ziti with Ground Beef, Provolone, and Mozzarella Recipe

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4.1 from 22 reviews

  • Author: Diane
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Yield: 1 9x13-inch casserole, serves 10

Description

This classic baked ziti recipe is a comforting and crowd-pleasing Italian-American dish featuring al dente pasta layered with a savory meat sauce, creamy cheeses including provolone, mozzarella, and Parmesan, then baked to perfection. It’s perfect for family dinners or feeding a crowd, and can also be made vegetarian by omitting the meat without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 pound dry ziti pasta

Meat Sauce

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce

Cheeses

  • 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
  • 1 ½ cups sour cream
  • 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
  2. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the dry ziti pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. Make Meat Sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and lean ground beef. Cook, stirring and breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the onion is tender. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the two jars of spaghetti sauce, bring to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes to meld the flavors.
  4. Assemble Casserole: Spread half of the cooked ziti evenly in the prepared baking dish. Layer the sliced provolone cheese evenly over the pasta, followed by spreading the sour cream on top. Spoon half of the meat sauce over the sour cream layer.
  5. Layer Remaining Ingredients: Add the remaining half of the ziti on top of the meat sauce layer. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta, followed by the remaining meat sauce. Finally, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the entire casserole.
  6. Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, until the dish is heated through and the cheeses are melted and bubbly.
  7. Serve: Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes before serving. This baked ziti serves about 10 and is perfect for a hearty family meal.

Notes

  • You can make this dish vegetarian by omitting the ground beef and using a vegetable-based spaghetti sauce.
  • To save time, use pre-chopped onion or jarred minced garlic but adjust to taste.
  • For a creamier casserole, substitute the sour cream with ricotta cheese.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
  • Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente since it will cook further in the oven.
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://eatwithdiane.com/baked-ziti-with-ground-beef-provolone-and-mozzarella-recipe/