Description
Savory Million Dollar Baked Ziti emerges as a crowd-pleasing pasta masterpiece that blends rich Italian flavors with comfort food charm. Cheesy layers, robust marinara, and perfectly seasoned meat create a hearty dish you’ll crave at every family gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ziti pasta
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 jar (24 ounces / 680 grams) marinara sauce
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
Dairy Components:
- 1 cup (227 grams) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (227 grams) sour cream
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Extras:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lightly coating with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then cook ziti pasta until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté minced garlic in olive oil for 2 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until completely browned, removing any excess fat.
- Stir marinara sauce into the meat, seasoning with salt and pepper. Simmer the meat sauce for 5 minutes to develop deep flavors.
- Create the cheese mixture by combining ricotta, sour cream, and one cup of mozzarella cheese in a separate bowl until smooth and well-blended.
- Layer the assembled dish by spreading half the cooked ziti in the prepared baking dish. Evenly distribute the cheese mixture over the pasta.
- Add remaining ziti on top of the cheese layer, then pour the entire meat sauce over the pasta.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the top to create a golden, cheesy crust.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Optionally, garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving warm.
Notes
- Cook ziti just until al dente to maintain a slight firmness, preventing mushy texture in the final dish.
- Thoroughly drain ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, more concentrated meat sauce.
- Mix ricotta with sour cream for an extra creamy and tangy cheese layer that elevates the overall richness.
- Prepare the entire casserole in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenience and deeper flavor melding.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version. Use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly option.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg