Description
Homemade Baked Ziti With Ground Beef And Cream Cheese is the kind of easy dinner that makes everyone hurry to the table. It’s warm, hearty, cheesy, and packed with rich beefy flavor in every bite. I love how this easy recipe turns simple pantry staples into one of my favorite comfort food dinner ideas. Between the tender pasta, creamy cheese, savory meat sauce, and bubbly golden top, it’s a satisfying family dinner, a cozy make-ahead meal, and one of those classic baked pasta dishes that always disappears fast.
Ingredients
16 ounces ziti pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground beef
24 ounces marinara sauce
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
4. Add the garlic and ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease if needed.
5. Stir in the marinara sauce, cream cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring until the cream cheese fully melts into the sauce.
6. Add the cooked ziti to the skillet and toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
7. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan.
8. Add the remaining pasta mixture, then finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Rest for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
Let the cream cheese soften before adding it to the skillet so it melts smoothly into the sauce.
Cook the ziti just to al dente since it will continue softening in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 78mg
Keywords: homemade baked ziti, baked ziti with ground beef, baked ziti with cream cheese, easy dinner, family dinner, pasta bake, comfort food, cheesy pasta casserole, baked pasta recipe