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Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe

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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!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). 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

Find it online: https://avarecipes.com/million-dollar-baked-ziti-recipe/