Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American casserole featuring perfectly cooked ziti pasta layered with a rich and savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta and sour cream mixture, and plenty of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This hearty baked pasta dish is perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests, offering a cheesy, flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the marinara sauce and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix the Cheeses: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until smooth and well blended.
- Assemble the Dish: Spread half of the cooked pasta evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer the cheese mixture evenly over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta on top, followed by spreading the meat sauce over the pasta layer. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and the grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes, garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, and serve warm to enjoy the rich, creamy flavors.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit ground beef and use extra vegetables like mushrooms or spinach.
- You can prepare this dish a day ahead and refrigerate; bake covered until heated through and bubbly.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta as needed for dietary preferences.
- Adding crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce adds a nice subtle heat.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6th of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Baked Ziti, Italian Pasta Bake, Cheesy Pasta Casserole, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner Recipe
