Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a rich and creamy Italian-American casserole featuring tender ziti pasta layered with a savory meat sauce, a luscious blend of ricotta and sour cream, and a generous topping of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. This comforting baked pasta dish is perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests, delivering hearty flavors and gooey textures that everyone will love.
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the baking dish. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish well to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving later.
- Cook the ziti pasta. Boil the ziti in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain it, then toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil to keep the pasta from sticking together.
- Prepare the meat sauce. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground Italian sausage or ground beef until fully cooked and no longer pink. Add the minced garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently to blend the flavors for several minutes.
- Mix the cheese filling. In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the baked ziti layers. In the prepared baking dish, spread half of the cooked ziti evenly. Top with half of the cheese mixture, followed by half of the meat sauce. Repeat these layers with the remaining ziti, cheese mixture, and meat sauce.
- Add the topping and bake. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Finish baking uncovered. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for an aromatic and colorful finish, then serve hot.
Notes
- For a spicier version, increase the red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage.
- You can substitute ground beef if preferred over Italian sausage.
- Ricotta and sour cream create a creamy texture; do not substitute with cottage cheese.
- Letting the dish rest before serving helps the flavors meld and cheese set slightly.
- This dish is ideal for make-ahead meal prep; assemble it the day before and bake when ready.
- Use a full-fat sour cream and cheese for richer flavor, or low-fat versions for a lighter dish.
