Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a rich, creamy, and cheesy baked pasta dish layered with Italian sausage, a blend of cheeses, and marinara sauce, creating the ultimate comforting Italian-American main course perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Mixture
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the ziti pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente, about 1–2 minutes less than the package instructions indicate. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage or ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon. Stir in the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Pour in the marinara sauce, then season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5–7 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Mix Cheese Layer: In a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Baked Ziti: In a large 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked pasta evenly over the sauce. Spread the creamy cheese mixture over the pasta layer. Top with half of the remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with half of the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layering with the remaining pasta, meat sauce, and mozzarella. Finish by sprinkling the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake the Dish: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving. If desired, garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh touch.
Notes
- You can assemble this baked ziti up to a day in advance and refrigerate it before baking.
- For a leaner version, substitute ground turkey for the Italian sausage or ground beef.
- Ricotta cheese can be replaced with cottage cheese if preferred.
