Looking for a quick, easy baked ziti recipe with ground beef that everyone in the family will love?
This Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti is comforting and packed with flavor—perfect for busy weeknights, meal trains, or feeding a crowd.
Pair it with garlic bread, a fresh salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete Italian-inspired meal.
Why This Recipe Is a Family Favorite
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under an hour, making it perfect for busy moms and dads.
- Feeds a Crowd: Great for families of 4–6, with plenty of leftovers for the next day.
- Versatile: Swap ground beef for Italian sausage, ground turkey, or chicken.
- Make-Ahead & Freezer Friendly: Bake now or freeze for later to save time.
This baked ziti has been a go-to recipe for my family for years. As a mom of three and a military spouse, I need meals that are simple to make, satisfying, and able to feed everyone—including my husband, who comes home hungry after a long day.
It’s also the perfect dish to bring to meal trains. Whether helping a friend with a new baby or supporting a family during a deployment, this baked ziti is a comforting, hearty option that’s sure to please everyone.
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Tips for Making the Best Baked Ziti
- Freeze Ahead: Wrap tightly and store in the freezer before baking. Thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as usual.
- Cover or Uncover: Baking uncovered gives a bubbly, golden cheese topping, but you can cover it with foil if you prefer softer cheese.
- Meat Variations: Try Italian sausage, ground turkey, or even lamb to switch up the flavor.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with garlic bread, a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or sautéed mushrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ziti pasta?
Ziti is a long, tubular Italian pasta made from durum wheat. It works perfectly in baked pasta dishes, soups, and stews.
Can baked ziti be frozen?
Yes! Freeze in an airtight container or wrapped in foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Can I use other meats instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Italian sausage, ground turkey, or chicken are all great options. Experiment to find your favorite combination.
Should I cover baked ziti while baking?
It’s up to you. Covering with foil keeps the cheese soft, while baking uncovered creates a bubbly, golden top.
Why This Recipe Works for Families
This cheesy baked ziti is easy, filling, and guaranteed to be a hit.
Perfect for busy nights, meal prep, feeding a crowd, or sharing with friends and neighbors during meal trains.
It’s the kind of dish that brings comfort, convenience, and smiles to every table.
Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 box of Ziti noodles
- 2 (24 oz.) jars of spaghetti sauce
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 1 onion
- 1 lb. bag of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- Optional: 1 tsp. salt
Product recommendation: This jumbo cooker is my favorite! I use this skillet to cook the meat sauce for this recipe.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Brown ground beef in a large deep skillet.
Add two jars of spaghetti sauce to the beef.
Stir the sauce and the beef mixture around until combined well.
Simmer on low heat.
Using a cutting board and knife, cut the onion into thin slices.
In a small skillet, saute the onions with olive oil until onions are caramelized.
Pour onions into the beef mixture and stir until mixed.
In a large pot, boil two quarts of water.
Add Ziti pasta noodles and boil for 10-11 minutes, stirring well so the noodles don’t stick together.
Drain the noodles using a colander.
Add desired amount of Ziti noodles to beef mixture.
Note: I usually use about 2/3 to 1/2 box of the Ziti noodles. I prefer more meat sauce over noodles – add more noodles if you like to have more noodles in your recipe!
Mix the noodles into the meat sauce.
Scoop mixture into a 13 X 9 baking pan.
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top until covered.
Sprinkle with pepper and salt if desired for added flavor. Note: The cheese does contain salt, keep that in mind when creating your recipe!
Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until cheese is slightly browned.
Let us know how your Baked Ziti turned out! I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as we do!
Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 1 box of Ziti noodles
- 2 (24 oz.) jars of spaghetti sauce
- 2.25 lbs. ground beef
- 1 onion
- 1 lb. mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- Optional: 1 tsp. salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Brown ground beef in a large deep skillet.
Add two jars of spaghetti sauce to the beef.
Stir the sauce and the beef mixture around until combined well.
Simmer on low heat.
Using a cutting board and knife, cut the onion into thin slices.
In a small skillet, saute the onions with olive oil until onions are caramelized.
Pour onions into the beef mixture and stir until mixed.
In a large pot, boil two quarts of water.
Add Ziti pasta noodles and boil for 10-11 minutes, stirring well so the noodles don't stick together.
Drain the noodles using a colander.
Add desired amount of Ziti noodles to beef mixture.
Mix the noodles into the meat sauce.
Scoop mixture into a 13 X 9 baking pan.
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top until covered.
Sprinkle with pepper and salt if desired for added flavor.
Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until cheese is slightly browned.