Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a rich and cheesy baked pasta dish layered with a creamy ricotta and cream cheese mixture, savory meat sauce, and gooey mozzarella. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and meal prep!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta – Boil the ziti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce – In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and garlic, sautéing until fragrant. Add ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Simmer the Sauce – Stir in marinara and tomato sauce, along with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes to develop flavors.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture – In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, half of the Parmesan, an egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- Assemble the Ziti – In a greased baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti, followed by dollops of the cheese mixture. Spread a portion of the meat sauce over the top and sprinkle with some mozzarella. Repeat the layers, finishing with a generous topping of mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan.
- Bake – Cover with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Garnish & Serve – Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley for added color and flavor.
Notes
- Meatless Option – Skip the ground meat and add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for a vegetarian version.
- Spicy Kick – Use spicy Italian sausage and red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
- Low-Carb Alternative – Swap ziti for roasted cauliflower or zucchini noodles.
- Extra Creamy – Mix in a bit of heavy cream with the cheese mixture for an even richer texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course,pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: baked ziti, cheesy pasta, comfort food, Italian pasta bake, million dollar ziti