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Christmas Cheesy Baked Ziti – Beef Enchilada Recipe You’ll Crave Every Holiday

When the snow starts falling and the house smells like cinnamon candles 🎄, I know it’s time for something cheesy, bubbly, and baked to perfection. This Christmas Cheesy Baked Ziti hits the spot. It’s not fancy, but it sure knows how to impress a hungry holiday crowd. Imagine layers of pasta, oozing mozzarella, a whisper of garlic, and that golden cheesy crust—yep, it's the dish that always gets scraped clean. I’ve made this recipe for years. It started out as a lazy version of lasagna, and somehow became the most-requested dish at our holiday get-togethers. You can dress it up or keep it simple, but no matter what, it delivers that cozy, homey feel we’re all craving by the end of December. Perfect for when you’ve had enough cookies and need real food. 🧀 Whether you're feeding picky kids, meat-loving uncles, or a plant-based cousin (just sub the meat!), this baked ziti adapts like a charm. It’s forgiving, flavorful, and frankly—freakin’ fabulous. No frills, just flavor. Let’s bake!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Casserole
Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Beef Enchilada Recipe, Chicken And Veggie Quesadilla, Diy Mini Pancakes, easy creamy pasta sauce recipes, ground beef recipes for dinner easy soup, quick and easy vegan dinner recipes, Soft Cookie Recipe
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Elena

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ziti pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Cook ziti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cook until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef. Cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
  5. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.
  6. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. Mix well.
  7. Transfer half the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and parmesan.
  8. Repeat with remaining pasta and cheeses.
  9. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
  10. Garnish with fresh basil if using. Serve warm.