There's nothing quite like a bubbling, cheesy, golden-brown Million Dollar Baked Ziti fresh out of the oven. This dish is the perfect blend of creamy ricotta, tangy marinara, and gooey melted cheese, layered with hearty pasta and savory ground beef. It's pure comfort food at its finest!

I first made this recipe for a family gathering, and letโs just sayโit disappeared fast. Everyone kept asking what made it taste so rich and decadent, and the secret is a luscious cream cheese mixture that takes this classic baked ziti to the next level.
If you're looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal that feels fancy but is incredibly simple to make, this Million Dollar Baked Ziti is the answer. Letโs dive in!
Why Youโll Love This Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite pasta bake! This Million Dollar Baked Ziti isnโt just deliciousโitโs a total game-changer for weeknight dinners, potlucks, and meal prep.
First off, itโs incredibly easy to make. You donโt need any fancy ingredients or complicated techniquesโjust a few pantry staples and a casserole dish. It all comes together in under an hour!
Next, it tastes like a dish straight out of an Italian restaurant. Thanks to the creamy cheese mixture, every bite is indulgent and packed with flavor. Itโs a major step up from your basic baked ziti.
Not to mention, itโs perfect for feeding a crowd. Whether you're serving a big family dinner or bringing a dish to a party, this ziti is guaranteed to be a hit. Plus, it reheats beautifully for leftovers!
And finally, itโs endlessly customizable. Swap out the protein, add veggies, or make it vegetarianโthe possibilities are endless. More on that later!
Ingredients Notes
The magic of this Million Dollar Baked Ziti lies in the combination of simple ingredients that create an ultra-rich, creamy texture. Hereโs what youโll need:
- Ziti pasta โ This is the classic choice for baked ziti, but penne or rigatoni also work well if you have them on hand.
- Ground beef (or Italian sausage) โ Adds a hearty, savory depth of flavor. You can use lean ground beef or swap in Italian sausage for extra spice.
- Marinara sauce โ A high-quality store-bought marinara works perfectly here, but if you have a homemade sauce, even better!
- Cream cheese โ This is the secret ingredient that makes the ziti taste like a โmillion bucks.โ It adds a creamy, luxurious texture to the cheese mixture.
- Ricotta cheese โ Classic for baked pasta, ricotta helps create that signature layered effect and balances the flavors beautifully.
- Mozzarella cheese โ For that gooey, stretchy, melty topping. Use whole milk mozzarella for the best results!
- Parmesan cheese โ Adds a sharp, salty bite that complements the creaminess. Freshly grated is always best.
- Egg โ Helps bind the ricotta mixture together, giving it a slightly firmer texture when baked.
- Garlic & Italian seasoning โ These add bold flavor to the sauce and the cheese mixture, making every bite more delicious.
- Olive oil โ Just a splash for sautรฉing the beef and garlic.
If you have a large baking dish (9x13 works best), a pot for boiling pasta, and a skillet for browning the meat, youโre good to go!
How to Make This Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Making this Million Dollar Baked Ziti is easier than you might think! Hereโs a simple step-by-step guide:
- Cook the pasta โ Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti until just al dente (about 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions). Drain and set aside.
- Brown the meat โ In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess grease, then stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, and marinara sauce. Let it simmer for a few minutes to develop the flavors.
- Make the creamy cheese mixture โ In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, ricotta, egg, half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Layer the ziti โ In a greased 9x13 baking dish, spread a little marinara sauce on the bottom. Add half the cooked ziti, then spread the cheese mixture evenly over it. Pour over half the meat sauce, then repeat the layers with the remaining pasta and sauce.
- Top it off โ Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top. Cover with foil and bake at 375ยฐF (190ยฐC) for 25 minutes.
- Bake and enjoy! โ Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before servingโthis helps everything set up for perfect slices!
This dish comes together in about 45-50 minutes total, making it an ideal dinner for busy nights.
Storage Options
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Million Dollar Baked Ziti stores beautifully.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The flavors get even better overnight!
- Freeze: Assemble the dish but donโt bake it yet. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen at 375ยฐF for about 50-60 minutes.
- Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave, or reheat the entire dish in a 350ยฐF oven for 20-25 minutes.
Variations and Substitutions
This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is super versatile! Here are some fun ways to change it up:
- Make it vegetarian โ Swap the ground beef for sautรฉed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for a delicious meat-free version.
- Use different pasta โ If you donโt have ziti, try penne, rigatoni, or even rotiniโthey all hold sauce beautifully!
- Switch up the cheese โ Add a layer of provolone or fontina for extra cheesiness. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes gives it a little kick!
- Try a different protein โ Instead of beef, use Italian sausage, ground turkey, or shredded rotisserie chicken for a twist.
- Add more sauce โ If you like it extra saucy, feel free to add another ยฝ cup of marinara to the layers.
No matter how you make it, this baked ziti is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
Final Thoughts
This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is everything you want in a comfort food dishโrich, creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. Itโs easy enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for company.
Give it a try, and I promise youโll be making it again and again. Enjoy!
PrintMillion Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a creamy, cheesy, and hearty pasta bake featuring layers of ziti, ricotta, mozzarella, and a savory meat sauce. This baked pasta dish is perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prep. With its rich flavor and irresistible texture, it tastes like a million bucks!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ยฝ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ยฝ tsp salt
- ยฝ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add ground beef or sausage, breaking it apart. Cook until browned; drain excess grease.
- Stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, sour cream, egg, and half the Parmesan cheese until combined.
- Spread a layer of meat sauce in the baking dish, followed by half the cooked pasta.
- Add a layer of the ricotta mixture and half the mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat layers with remaining pasta, sauce, and mozzarella. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage.
- You can prepare ahead and refrigerate before baking.
- Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if preferred.
- Serve with garlic bread and a side salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
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