Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a rich, comforting pasta dish layered with tender ziti, savory meat sauce, and a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, all baked until bubbly and golden. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleasing dinner that tastes like it came straight from an Italian restaurant.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce (well-seasoned)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook ziti in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet. Sauté onion until soft, then add garlic and Italian seasoning.
- Add ground beef or sausage if using and cook until browned. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, half the Parmesan, salt, pepper, and 1 cup mozzarella.
- Layer half the pasta in the dish, top with half the meat sauce, then spread ricotta mixture.
- Add remaining pasta, sauce, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden. Rest 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Let the baked ziti rest before slicing for cleaner portions.
- Swap meat for mushrooms or spinach for a vegetarian version.
- Freezes well before or after baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American