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Million Dollar Baked Ziti: The Ultimate Cheesy Pasta Bake

A square slice of baked ziti pasta bake topped with melted mozzarella cheese and rich meat sauce.
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Create the ultimate comfort food dinner with this Million Dollar Baked Ziti. This easy pasta casserole layers ziti with rich marinara, savory meat, and a blend of creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella for a hearty, family-style pasta bake.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 (15 ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Stir the marinara sauce into the meat mixture. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
  7. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, half of the meat sauce, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Toss gently to coat.
  8. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer.
  9. Top the ricotta layer with the remaining half of the pasta mixture. Pour the remaining meat sauce over the top.
  10. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
  11. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.
  12. Let the baked pasta bake rest for 10 minutes before you cut and serve it.

Notes

  • You can prepare this entire dish ahead of time. Assemble it completely, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add about 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time.
  • For a richer flavor, use Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
  • If you want an extra creamy texture, stir 1/4 cup of heavy cream into the ricotta mixture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/million-dollar-baked-ziti-pasta-bake/