Ultimate Million Dollar Baked Ziti: Indulge in Comfort Bliss
Experience the Ultimate Million Dollar Baked Ziti, a comforting dish that blends savory meat sauce with creamy cheeses, perfect for gatherings and customizable for any palate.
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 450kcal
Equipment
- Oven
- Skillet
- Baking Dish
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound Ziti Pasta Cook until just under al dente.
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 pound Ground Beef or Italian Sausage Consider using turkey for a lighter option.
- 2 cups Marinara Sauce Store-bought or homemade.
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
For the Cheesy Layers
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese Full-fat gives the best texture.
- 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese Substitute with cottage cheese if preferred.
- 1 large Egg Acts as a binder.
- 3 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese For topping.
- 3/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese For the cheese mixture and topping.
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil ziti pasta in salted water until just under al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the ground beef or Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat, draining excess fat.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Blend cream cheese, ricotta, egg, 1/4 cup of grated parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Layer one-third of the meat sauce in a 13x9” baking dish, followed by half of the cooked ziti and half of the cheese mixture.
- Repeat layers with another third of the meat sauce, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and the remaining ziti and cheese mixture.
- Top with the rest of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
This dish can be customized with different meats or veggies and is perfect for freezing for busy nights.