Description
Million dollar baked ziti combines creamy cheeses, hearty pasta, and savory meats in a comforting Italian-American classic. Pasta enthusiasts will savor this rich, layered dish that promises pure culinary satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 lb (454 g) ziti pasta
- 1 jar (24 oz or 680 g) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14 oz or 397 g) diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 cups (226 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (226 g) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (226 g) sour cream
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Cook ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, following package instructions. Drain completely and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef or sausage over medium-high heat, breaking meat into small crumbles. Drain accumulated fat.
- Introduce minced garlic to the meat and sauté for 30 seconds. Pour in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and season with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Reduce heat and simmer the meat sauce for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Create a creamy cheese mixture by combining ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, and half of the Parmesan cheese in a separate mixing bowl.
- Construct the first pasta layer by spreading half of the cooked ziti across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Evenly distribute the cheese mixture over the initial pasta layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Spoon half of the meat sauce across the cheese layer, followed by the remaining pasta and then the remaining sauce.
- Generously top the casserole with mozzarella and reserved Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes at 375°F.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbling.
- Allow the ziti to rest for 10 minutes after removing from oven. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef or turkey for a healthier version of this rich, comforting dish.
- Swap traditional pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free ziti to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Enhance flavor by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano to the cheese mixture for extra depth.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld before baking for more intense taste.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg