Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a comforting and rich Italian-American casserole featuring tender ziti pasta layered with a flavorful meat sauce, creamy ricotta and sour cream mixture, and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This hearty baked dish is perfect for family dinners and gatherings.
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, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little oil or non-stick spray to ensure the baked ziti doesn’t stick.
- Cook the pasta: Boil the ziti in salted water until al dente according to package instructions, then drain and toss the hot pasta with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Make the meat sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground Italian sausage or beef until fully cooked and crumbly. Add minced garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir well, season with salt and pepper, and simmer the sauce for about 5-7 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Layer the casserole: In the greased baking dish, spread half of the cooked ziti as the first layer. Top with half the cheese mixture, then half the meat sauce. Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, cheese mixture, and meat sauce.
- Add final cheese topping and bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Bake uncovered and garnish: Remove the foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh basil leaves and serving.
Notes
- Use Italian sausage for a spicier, more flavorful dish or ground beef for a milder taste.
- Red pepper flakes are optional; omit if you prefer a non-spicy version.
- Allowing the baked ziti to rest before serving helps it set and makes it easier to portion.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
