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Best Baked Ziti with Ground Beef

Best Baked Ziti with Ground Beef

Mouthwatering baked ziti with ground beef recipe. Layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, savory ground beef, and three types of melted cheese create a delightful harmony of flavors and a dish of comfort.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Resting time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 389
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound Ground beef
  • 1 pound Ground Italian sausage
  • 1 Medium onion, minced
  • 1 Medium green bell pepper, minced
  • 4 Cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Adobo all purpose seasoning
  • ⅛ teaspoon Ground Black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon Paprika
  • ½ teaspoon Oregano
  • 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
  • 3 jars Traditional pasta sauce (around 24 ounces each)
  • 1 can Diced tomatoes (14-16 ounces)
  • 24 ounces Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 6-8 ounces Shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
  • 1 box Ziti pasta noodles (16 ounces)
  • 1 ounce Virgin olive oil
  • Non stick spray
  • parsley, minced (to garnish)

Method
 

  1. Prepare ziti noodles according to the directions on the box "Al dente" style
  2. Drain the noodles, pour 1 tablespoon olive oil on them mix and set aside
  3. Place ground beef in a large pot and season generously with adobo, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano
  4. Add onions and bell peppers and brown the beef mixture until fully cooked through (there should be no pink at all remaining once fully cooked)
  5. Drain the oil off the ground beef and return it to the pot
  6. Add in garlic and balsamic vinegar and sauté for 3-4 minutes on medium high heat
  7. Add can of diced tomatoes and jars of the pasta sauce, mix well and allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes on medium heat (taste your sauce and adjust seasoning to your taste if needed)
  8. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and spray a large baking dish with non stick spray
  9. Add a layer of noodles to cover the bottom of the pan
  10. Add a layer of the meat sauce
  11. Add 6 large dollops of ricotta cheese
  12. Sprinkle half of the Parmesan cheese
  13. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese
  14. Add a final layer of noodles
  15. Pour the remaining meat sauce
  16. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheese
  17. Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly
  18. Remove from oven and let it sit for 5 minutes
  19.  Serve and enjoy!