Million Dollar Baked Ziti (Printable View)
Hearty ziti layered with creamy cheeses, savory sauce, and baked until golden and bubbling.
# Ingredient List:
→ Pasta
01 -
12 ounces ziti pasta
→ Meat
02 -
1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
→ Sauce
03 -
24 ounces marinara sauce
→ Cheese
04 -
15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
05 -
2 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
06 -
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Seasonings
07 -
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
08 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
09 -
Salt and pepper to taste
# Preparation Steps:
01 -
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
02 -
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage until fully cooked. Drain excess fat, then add minced garlic and cook until aromatic.
03 -
Stir marinara sauce and Italian seasoning into the skillet. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
04 -
In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with half of the mozzarella and a portion of Parmesan cheese until smooth.
05 -
Lightly grease a baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti, then spoon over half of the meat sauce and scatter dollops of the cheese mixture. Repeat with remaining ingredients, finishing with meat sauce and cheese.
06 -
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, top with reserved mozzarella cheese, and bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is golden and the dish is bubbling.
# Supplementary Details:
01 -
Allow the baked ziti to rest for 10 minutes before serving to ensure clean slices.