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A generous slice of Baked Ziti with Ricotta Family Size, topped with melted, browned cheese and fresh parsley.

Baked Ziti with Ricotta Family Size

This recipe makes a large batch of baked ziti, suitable for a family meal. It uses ground beef, spaghetti sauce, and three types of cheese for a simple, satisfying dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 10 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound Dry ziti pasta
  • 1 Onion, chopped
  • 1 pound Lean ground beef
  • 2 26 ounce jars Spaghetti sauce
  • 6 ounces Provolone cheese, sliced
  • 1.5 cups Sour cream
  • 6 ounces Mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons Grated Parmesan cheese

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • 9x13 inch baking dish

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef and chopped onion in a skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Stir the spaghetti sauce into the meat mixture. Heat through for about 5 minutes.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the meat sauce, and the sour cream. Mix well.
  6. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top this layer with the sliced provolone cheese.
  7. Spread the remaining pasta mixture over the provolone layer. Sprinkle the top evenly with the shredded mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese.
  8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly browned.
  9. Let the baked ziti rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

Notes

You can substitute ricotta cheese for the sour cream if you prefer a different texture. For a quicker meal, use pre-cooked ground beef or ground turkey.