Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a comforting and hearty Italian-American pasta bake featuring layers of ziti pasta, rich meat sauce, and a creamy blend of ricotta, cream cheese, and mozzarella. This delicious casserole is baked until bubbly and golden, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion. Cook for 6–8 minutes until meat is browned and onions are soft. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Drain excess grease. Stir in marinara sauce, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Mix Cheese Blend: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the cooked pasta evenly in the dish. Spread the cheese mixture over the pasta layer. Add half of the meat sauce on top. Repeat layers with remaining pasta and meat sauce.
- Add Toppings and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden brown.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake, saving time on busy days.
- For a spicier version, use hot Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
