This Baked Zita with Ricotta is such a delicious easy dinner that is quick, very filling and always a favorite meal. Loaded with ground beef and Italian sausage, pasta sauce and ricotta and topped with mozzarella cheese.
Perfect served with warm crusty bread and a simple salad. A simple but delicious meal!
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Baked Ziti is true comfort food and a family friendly dinner. This is a recipe that I usually have the ingredients on hand to make just about any time.
You can add your favorite ingredients to this to make it your own such as black olives, mushrooms or green peppers. It is so good!
Don't skip the Ricotta cheese! It adds a delicious and creamy texture.
Recipe Additions and Variations
- Add in Parmesan cheese for extra cheesy flavor.
- For chunkier pasta sauce add in a can of drained diced tomatoes.
- Get even more flavor by adding Italian seasoning and fresh parsley to your pasta sauce.
- Use ground turkey or ground chicken in place of ground beef.
In our home anything with pasta in it is always a hit with even the pickiest eaters. So if you want a dinner idea that everyone will be happy with this is the one to make!
Other pasta meals you might like that are always on our meal rotation list include: Pizza Pasta Bake With Pepperoni And Sausage, Baked Lasagna Garlic Bread Bowls and Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta.
Ingredients
See printable recipe card below for specific measurements and complete instructions.
- ziti or penne or rigatoni pasta
- ground beef
- Italian sausage
- small onion
- pasta sauce
- eggs
- ricotta cheese
- mozzarella cheese
How To Make Baked Ziti With Ricotta
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and sausage with the onion over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain and stir in the spaghetti sauce.
Cook ziti pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
In a large bowl, combine eggs, ricotta cheese, and 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese.
Add the pasta to cheese mixture and stir until mixed.
Spoon a third of the meat sauce into the baking dish, then top with half of the pasta mixture. Repeat layers, ending with meat sauce on top.
Cover and bake 40 minutes, then uncover and top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
How To Store Baked Ziti
If you have leftovers you can refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Follow the USDA recommendations for refrigeration and food safety.
Reheat Baked Ziti in the microwave or in the oven on a low heat until heated through.
Helpful Supplies and Tools
Here are a few items that I recommend and use in my kitchen that are helpful when baking. (Affiliate links).
This Pyrex Grab Glass Bakeware and Food Storage Set is a great set to have in your kitchen. This set comes with lids so you can easily store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Every kitchen needs these 100% Cotton soft and absorbent dish towels. They are available in 10 different colors. I have them in yellow.
This sturdy Stainless Steel 5-Quart Colander has heavy duty handles and the microperforated holes helps it drain easier and prevents food from falling through.
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I hope you enjoy this easy and delicious Baked Ziti recipe! If you try this, please come back and rate the recipe and leave me a comment below.
Baked Ziti With Ricotta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ziti or penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 24 ounce jar pasta sauce
- 1 large eggs, beaten
- 15 ounce container ricotta cheese
- 2½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and sausage with the onion over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain and stir in the spaghetti sauce.
- Cook ziti pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, ricotta cheese, and 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese.
- Add the pasta to cheese mixture and stir until mixed.
- Spoon a third of the meat sauce into the baking dish, then top with half of the pasta mixture. Repeat layers, ending with meat sauce on top.
- Cover and bake 40 minutes, then uncover and top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
- Let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
