Description
Million dollar baked ziti delivers pure Italian-American comfort, combining hearty pasta, rich cheeses, and savory meats in one irresistible casserole. Creamy layers and golden-brown edges promise a crowd-pleasing dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 egg
Pasta and Cheese:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) to create the perfect baking environment.
- Prepare ziti pasta according to package directions until perfectly tender, then drain thoroughly.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet and sauté minced garlic until aromatic and golden.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, cooking until completely browned, then carefully drain excess fat.
- Pour marinara sauce into the meat, sprinkle with Italian seasoning, and allow to simmer for 5 minutes to develop rich flavors.
- Create a creamy cheese mixture by whisking ricotta, sour cream, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl.
- Gently fold the cooked ziti into half of the prepared meat sauce, ensuring even coating.
- Grease a baking dish and begin layering: spread half the ziti-meat mixture as the first foundation.
- Carefully spread the entire cheese mixture over the first ziti layer.
- Add the remaining ziti-meat mixture as the next layer, then top with remaining meat sauce.
- Generously sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese across the top for a golden, melty finish.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese bubbles and turns a beautiful golden brown.
- Allow the ziti to rest for a few minutes before serving to help it set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Opt for fresh garlic and herbs to enhance the depth of flavor in this comforting pasta dish.
- Choose high-quality ground beef with a moderate fat content for richer taste and juicier texture.
- Consider swapping ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and reduce kitchen stress.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg