Z is for Ziti

All the flavors you love in lasagna come together in this Baked Ziti Casserole with a lot less fuss and muss.

My blogging friends and I get together every other Wednesday to share recipes that start or feature ingredients as we work our way through the alphabet. This is our last challenge of 2025.  Let's take a look at the other Z recipes being shared today........

• Culinary Cam: A Holiday Zaza or Two or Three - Cheers!
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Baked Ziti 
• Food Lust People Love: Boursin Zucchini Tart 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Grilled Zucchini Bruschetta Bites
• A Messy Kitchen: Lemon Eton Mess 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Simple Zero Cream Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Zacatecas Beef Stew
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Zeppole 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Zeytin Piyazi

This is a quick, easy, and delicious meal.  Perfect during the hectic holidays, leaving you extra time to work on all those cookies you hope to bake.

Last year I celebrated the Letter Z with Zucchini Fritters.

Past 2025 Alphabet Challenge Recipes

A is for Apples and Greens with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

B is for White Bean and Basil Salad

C is for Cider Glazed Chicken Wings

D is for Chicken and Dates

E is for Escargots Bourguignonne

F is for Roasted Vegetable Farro Bowl

G is for Garlic Honey Chicken Thighs

H is for Asian Beef Bowls

I is for Italian Ice

J is for Jamaican Jerk Chicken

K is for Kwasnica

L is for Preserved Lemons

M is for Steak and Mushroom Bites

N is for Sweet and Spicy Cashews

O is for Overnight Oats

P is for Pasta with Preserved Lemons

Q is for Shrimp Fajita Quesadillas

R is for Rustic Rye Sourdough Loaf

S is for Semitas

T is for Michigan End of Harvest Salad

U is for Black Forest Upside Down Cake

V is for Vaquero Chicken

W is for Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash

X is for Xanthia Cocktail

Y is for Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi) Cucumber and Avocado Salad

We will be back with next year's version of the Alphabet Challenge on January 7th, 2026.  Have a Happy and Safe Holiday Season.

Pasta, Casserole, Cheese, Beef,

Entrees, Pasta

Italian Fusion

Yield: 6 servings

Author: Wendy Klik

Baked Ziti

All the flavors you love in lasagna come together in this Baked Ziti Casserole with a lot less fuss and muss.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 40 Min

Ingredients

• 1 lb. Ziti Noodles, Cooked per Package directions to al dente
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• salt and pepper, taste
• 1 qt. Marinara, store-bought or Homemade
• 1 c. Ricotta Cheese
• 2 c. shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• 1/4 c. grated Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

1. As pasta cooks, place the ground beef, onions, and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper, and cook, breaking meat up with a wooden spoon until browned and crumbly.
2. Drain any fat from the skillet and add the Marinara sauce and Ricotta cheese, stirring to combine. Stir in the pasta.
3. Place 1/3 of the pasta in a casserole coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the Mozzarella. Repeat until all ingredients are used.
4. Sprinkle the Parmesan Cheese over the top and bake in a preheated 350* oven for about 30 minutes, until cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly and browned on top.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

633

Fat (grams)

20 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

11 g

Carbs (grams)

70 g

Fiber (grams)

5 g

Net carbs

65 g

Sugar (grams)

9 g

Protein (grams)

42 g

Sodium (milligrams)

1177 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

101 mg

Nutritional information for entire amount of dip

Similar Recipes

Meatless Lasagna

Southwest Slow Cooker Pasta

One Skillet Sloppy Joe Pasta

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