Description
This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a luxurious twist on the classic Italian-American baked pasta. Featuring a rich blend of marinara sauce, Italian sausage (or beef), creamy ricotta and sour cream, and layers of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this dish is comfort food at its finest. Perfect for feeding a crowd or impressing your family with its incredible flavor, it’s a guaranteed winner at your next dinner gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage (or ground beef)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
-
Cook the Pasta:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the ziti pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. -
Prepare the Meat Sauce:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage (or beef) and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces.
Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Stir in the marinara sauce and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat. -
Make the Cheese Mixture:
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well until smooth. -
Assemble the Ziti:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta and the meat sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
Spread half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with half of the cheese mixture.
Repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese mixtures. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and ½ cup of Parmesan cheese. -
Bake the Ziti:
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
-
Garnish and Serve:
Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a burst of color and flavor.
Notes
- You can make this dish ahead of time by assembling the ziti and storing it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
- To freeze, assemble the ziti and cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months, then bake from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 45-50 minutes.
- For a lighter version, you can swap the sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minute
- Category: Pasta, Comfort Food, Italian
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Million Dollar Baked Ziti, Cheesy Baked Ziti, Comfort Food, Italian Pasta Bake, Easy Pasta Recipe, Ziti Casserole