Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American pasta casserole featuring tender ziti pasta baked in a rich and flavorful mixture of Italian sausage, marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, sour cream, and melted cheeses. This hearty dish is perfect for family dinners and gatherings, delivering layers of cheesy, savory goodness with a golden baked top.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage or ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil to keep pasta from sticking.
- Make Meat Sauce: In a skillet, brown the ground Italian sausage or beef over medium-high heat. Once cooked, add the marinara sauce, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then simmer gently to combine flavors.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until well blended.
- Assemble Layers: In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti, followed by half of the cheese mixture, then half of the meat sauce. Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, cheese mixture, and meat sauce.
- Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese topping is golden and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a bright, aromatic finish.
Notes
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free if needed.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for sausage or beef for a leaner option.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- To make meal prep easier, assemble the ziti ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
