Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a rich and comforting pasta dish layered with savory marinara, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, baked until golden and bubbly. Perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or whenever you’re craving hearty comfort food.
Ingredients
12 oz ziti pasta
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
24 oz marinara sauce
15 oz ricotta cheese (whole milk)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp Italian seasoning
3 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook the ziti until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or sausage until cooked through. Drain excess fat, then add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with half of the shredded mozzarella and some grated Parmesan until smooth and creamy.
- Grease a baking dish and layer half the pasta, followed by a layer of meat sauce, and dollops of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil, top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini.
- Make ahead by assembling the dish and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking.
- Freezable for up to 3 months before baking—thaw before cooking.
- Spice it up with crushed red pepper flakes or spicy sausage.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
