Baked Ziti with Mozzarella Cheesy Baked Ziti with Melted Mozzarella and Rich Tomato Sauce Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) ziti pasta 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought) 1 lb (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup ricotta cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme) Salt and pepper to taste Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional) Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef or Italian sausage, season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to combine flavors. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. Mix well. Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese and some Parmesan. Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly with golden spots. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve hot. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes Kcal: 650 kcal per serving | Servings: 6 servings #bakedziti #italiancomfortfood #cheesypasta #mozarellapasta #homemadeitalian #comfortfoodrecipes #pastaovenbake #heartymeals #familydinner #easydinnerrecipes #italianrecipes #pastaandcheese #weeknightdinner #ricottacheese #groundbeefrecipes #italiandish #tomatosauce #pastafood #cheeselover #homecooking Indulge in this classic Baked Ziti with Mozzarella—layers of cheesy goodness and rich meat sauce baked to bubbly perfection! Perfect for family dinners!

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef Rich and Hearty Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 1 teaspoon sugar Salt and pepper to taste 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1/2 cup water or beef broth Cooked spaghetti, to serve Directions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Mix well. Add dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Pour in water or beef broth to loosen the sauce if needed. Reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavorful. Stir in fresh parsley just before serving. Serve hot over cooked spaghetti noodles with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 60 minutes Kcal: 350 kcal per serving (approximate) | Servings: 4 #spaghettisauce #homemadespaghetti #groundbeefsauce #italiancooking #comfortfood #pastasauce #homemadeitalian #easyrecipe #beefspaghetti #tomatosauce #dinnerideas #weeknightdinner #italianrecipes #heartymeal #pasta #simplecooking #familydinner #saucyspaghetti #classicitalian #slowcooked Nothing beats a homemade spaghetti sauce simmered with ground beef — rich, hearty, and full of flavor! 🍝❤️🧄