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5 from 1 vote

Best Baked Ziti

Italian Pasta Casserole loaded with cheese, ground beef, seasonings and sauce. Makes the best leftovers too.
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Catherine's Plates

Equipment

  • large skillet and large pot
  • large deep baking dish

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ziti or penne pasta
  • salt to flavor pasta water
  • 2 TBS cooking oil
  • 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 (24oz) jars pasta or marinara sauce (your favorite)
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (DIVIDED)
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (or you can substitute ricotta cheese)
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 1 TBS dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 large eggs

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray a large deep 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  • Prepare pasta per instructions on back of package for al dente. Season water with 1-2 TBS salt when water comes to a boil to flavor pasta. Drain cooked pasta and place back in pot.
  • While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add cooking oil and heat. Add in and stir onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add and stir garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds. Add in ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
  • Stir in pasta sauce, italian seasoning and salt to taste. Turn off burner and pour into drained cooked pasta and stir to combine.
  • In a medium bowl combine 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley and black pepper.
  • Pour 1/2 of the pasta ground beef mixture into bottom of prepared baking dish. Dollop 1/2 of the cheese egg mixture over the pasta beef mixture and spread evenly. Sprinkle with 1/2 a cup of mozzarella cheese.
  • Repeat layering with the rest of pasta ground beef mixture, the rest of cheese egg mixture evenly spread over ground beef. Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  • Place in preheated oven uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and cheese has melted and is golden in color. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Top with fresh parsley. Enjoy.