Cooking Instructions

Follow these steps for perfect results

Ingredients

0/9 checked
8
servings
16 unit

dry ziti pasta

dry

1 pound

lean ground beef

lean

1 unit

onion

chopped

56 unit

spaghetti sauce

6 unit

provolone cheese

sliced

6 unit

mozzarella cheese

sliced

1.5 cup

sour cream

0.5 cup

Parmesan cheese

grated

0.25 cup

fresh basil

chopped

Step 1
~3 min

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2
~3 min

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.

Step 3
~3 min

Add ziti pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente.

Step 4
~3 min

Drain pasta thoroughly.

Step 5
~3 min

In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat.

Step 6
~3 min

Add chopped onion to the skillet.

Step 7
~3 min

Saute onion until tender.

Step 8
~3 min

Drain off any excess fat from the skillet.

Step 9
~3 min

Add spaghetti sauce to the skillet with the beef and onions.

Step 10
~3 min

Simmer the sauce for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 11
~3 min

Lightly grease a 2 quart baking dish.

Key Technique: Baking
Step 12
~3 min

Place about half of the cooked ziti pasta in the baking dish.

Key Technique: Baking
Step 13
~3 min

Top the pasta with a layer of provolone and mozzarella cheese slices.

Step 14
~3 min

Spread half of the spaghetti sauce mixture evenly over the cheese layer.

Step 15
~3 min

Spread half of the sour cream evenly over the sauce layer.

Step 16
~3 min

Cover with the remaining ziti pasta.

Step 17
~3 min

Top with the remaining cheese slices.

Step 18
~3 min

Spread the remaining sauce mixture evenly over the cheese.

Step 19
~3 min

Sprinkle a layer of grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce.

Step 20
~3 min

Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the Parmesan cheese.

Step 21
~3 min

Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes.

Step 22
~3 min

Bake until the cheese and sauce are bubbly and golden brown.

Step 23
~3 min

Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Step 24
~3 min

Serve hot.

Pro Tips & Suggestions

Expert advice for the best results

Add a layer of ricotta cheese for extra creaminess.

Use a combination of Italian cheeses for a more complex flavor.

Garnish with extra fresh basil before serving.

Cooking Experience

Everything you need to know before you start

Time & Preparation

Cleanup Time

20 minutes

Batch Cooking
Friendly
Make Ahead

Can be assembled a day ahead and baked before serving.

Freezable
Kid Friendly

Cooking Environment

Messiness Level
Medium
Smell Intensity
Medium
Noise Level
Low
Elder Friendly
Suitable for seniors

Plating & Presentation

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a side salad and garlic bread.

Perfect Pairings

Food Pairings

Garlic Bread
Caesar Salad
Roasted Vegetables

Drink Pairings

Cultural Heritage

Discover the story behind this recipe

Origin & Tradition

Region of Origin

Italian-American

Cultural Significance

Comfort food staple in Italian-American cuisine.

Style

Occasions & Celebrations

Festive Uses

Family Gatherings
Holidays

Occasion Tags

Family Dinner
Potluck
Holiday Meal

Popularity Score

70/100

More Italian-American Dinner Recipes

Discover more delicious Italian-American Dinner recipes to expand your culinary repertoire

Italian-American
Medium
B+

Chicken Marsala

4.5
(1679 reviews)

A classic Italian-American dish featuring pan-fried chicken cutlets in a rich Marsala wine sauce with mushrooms.

30 min
350 cal
Gluten-containing
Dairy-containing
75%
70
Italian-American
Medium
A

Chicken Parmesan

4.1
(1159 reviews)

Classic Italian-American comfort food featuring breaded chicken breasts baked with tomato sauce and melted cheese, served over spaghetti.

45 min
600 cal
Gluten-containing
Dairy-containing
80%
75
Italian-American
Medium
A+

Chicken Parmigiana

4.4
(561 reviews)

Classic Chicken Parmesan recipe with a crispy chicken base, flavorful spaghetti sauce, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

45 min
600 cal
Gluten-adaptable
70%
75
Italian-American
Easy
C+

Easy Chicken Parmesan

4.2
(1151 reviews)

A simple and delicious chicken parmesan recipe perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

30 min
450 cal
High Protein
75%
70
Italian-American
Medium
A-

Spaghetti Sauce

4.2
(1697 reviews)

A homemade spaghetti sauce recipe, perfect for canning or immediate use. Simmered for 3 hours for rich flavor.

180 min
200 cal
Vegan
Vegetarian
75%
70
Italian-American
Medium
A

Pollo al Marsala

4.4
(1367 reviews)

A classic Italian-American dish featuring chicken breasts in a rich Marsala wine sauce with mushrooms and shallots.

30 min
350 cal
Gluten-containing
70%
75
Italian-American
Medium
A+

Lobster With Creamy Garlic Linguine

4.3
(1530 reviews)

A decadent dish featuring succulent lobster in a rich, creamy garlic sauce, served over linguine with fresh pea pods.

45 min
650 cal
Pescatarian
60%
75
Italian-American
Medium
A-

Spaghetti Meat Sauce

4.1
(1765 reviews)

A classic and hearty spaghetti meat sauce, simmered for hours to develop a rich and complex flavor.

250 min
450 cal
75%
70