Print

Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe

Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe

4.9 from 7 reviews

Indulge in the rich and savory flavors of this Million Dollar Baked Ziti recipe. With layers of ziti pasta, seasoned meat sauce, and creamy cheese, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Ziti Pasta:

  • 12 oz ziti pasta

Meat Sauce:

  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cheese Mixture:

  • 15 oz ricotta cheese (whole milk)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the pasta: Boil salted water and cook ziti until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Prepare the meat sauce: Brown ground beef or sausage in a skillet. Add garlic, then marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Make the cheese mixture: Combine ricotta, half of the mozzarella, and Parmesan until creamy.
  5. Layer the ingredients: In a greased baking dish, layer ziti, meat sauce, and cheese mixture. Repeat layers.
  6. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, add remaining mozzarella, and bake uncovered until bubbly.

Notes

  • This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.
  • Feel free to customize the meat sauce with your favorite herbs and spices.

Nutrition

Keywords: Baked Ziti, Pasta Bake, Italian Pasta Recipe