Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Million Dollar Baked Ziti. Layers of al dente pasta, savory ground beef (or sausage), and a blend of creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses make this dish a family favorite. Topped with fresh parsley and baked to bubbly perfection, it’s a meal your loved ones will ask for again and again!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. - Prepare the Meat Sauce:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef (or sausage) until browned. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and cook until softened. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. - Mix the Cheese Layer:
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, half of the Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until well combined. - Assemble the Ziti:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Layer half of the cooked ziti, followed by half of the cheese mixture. Repeat with another layer of meat sauce, ziti, and cheese mixture. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. - Bake:
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. - Garnish and Serve:
Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy this creamy, cheesy comfort food with a side salad or garlic bread for the ultimate meal!
Notes
- For a more robust flavor, substitute ground beef with Italian sausage.
- If you prefer a crunchy top, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes once the dish is fully baked, but keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
- You can make this dish ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Simply cover with foil and bake when ready.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the dish
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
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