Beef Alfredo Ziti Casserole: The Ultimate Recipe.
A rich and creamy pasta bake combining seasoned ground beef, ziti, and a velvety homemade Alfredo sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Author: info.mealsmell
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
- Diet: Halal
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta until al dente according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up and cooking for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in the heavy cream, softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the cream cheese is fully melted and combined.
- Fold in the cooked ziti and half of the Parmesan cheese, stirring until the pasta is thoroughly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the remaining Parmesan and the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Optionally, broil for 2-3 minutes for a crispier top.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For the best texture, ensure the pasta is cooked al dente as it will continue to soften while baking.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature to ensure it melts smoothly into the sauce.
- If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of pasta water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 48g
- Saturated Fat: 28g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
Keywords: Beef Alfredo Ziti Casserole, Pasta Bake, Creamy Beef Pasta, Ground Beef Casserole, Ziti Recipe