Beef Alfredo Ziti Casserole
A hearty baked pasta dish with tender beef, creamy Alfredo sauce, and melted cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Category: Main Dish, Casserole, Pasta Bake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
12 oz ziti pasta (or penne)
1 lb ground beef
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo sauce (or homemade)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess fat, then stir in garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes.
Make ricotta mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Assemble casserole: In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half the cooked ziti, half the ricotta mixture, half the beef, and half the Alfredo sauce. Repeat layers.
Top with cheese: Sprinkle extra mozzarella over the top.
Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
Serve: Let rest 5 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
Make-ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Bake an extra 5–10 minutes.
Freezer-friendly: Wrap unbaked casserole tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
Sauce variation: Swap half the Alfredo with marinara for a pink sauce version.
Extra flavor: Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the beef mixture.
Find it online: https://allrecipesmade.com/beef-alfredo-ziti-casserole/
