Ingredients:
- 16 oz. ziti pasta
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 Tbsp. butter
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 26 oz. spaghetti sauce
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 15 oz. ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1-2 tsp. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 F and lightly spray a 9-by-13-inch pan with nonstick spray.
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until almost al dente. Drain the pasta 1 to 2 minutes before the recommended time is done and set aside.
- While pasta is cooking, brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain the fat and set the meat aside.
- Using the same skillet, melt butter and add chopped onion. Stir and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute before stirring in spaghetti sauce, onion powder, salt and Italian seasoning. Reduce heat and let simmer.
- In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, sugar and 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese. Add a pinch of salt. Add the ground beef and ziti noodles into the spaghetti sauce and stir well to combine.
- Pour half of the ziti/sauce mixture into the prepared pan and then drop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese on top. Gently spread the ricotta over the pasta to create an even layer. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese on top before adding the remaining pasta and spreading evenly. Add the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese to the top of the baked ziti casserole.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
