Easy Cheesy Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe for Family Dinners

Comfort meets luxury in this million dollar baked ziti that promises pure culinary magic.

Creamy cheese layers mingle with robust pasta and hearty sauce in a dish that screams indulgence.

Pasta lovers will swoon over each perfectly seasoned bite.

Classic Italian-American cooking gets a delightful upgrade with simple yet incredible ingredients.

Rich marinara blends seamlessly with tender ziti noodles and melted cheeses.

Melted mozzarella creates golden, crispy edges that beckon you to take another forkful.

You can’t resist the temptation of this ultimate pasta experience that feels like a warm culinary hug.

Creative Twists for Baked Ziti

• Vegetarian Ziti: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers. Use marinara sauce and follow the original recipe steps.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional ziti pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Spicy Mediterranean Version: Add red pepper flakes to meat sauce, incorporate crumbled feta cheese, and sprinkle chopped kalamata olives between layers for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute ziti with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Use lean ground turkey and reduce cheese quantity for a lighter, protein-packed casserole.

What to Serve with Million Dollar Baked Ziti

• Cozy Family Feast: Serve this ziti as a hearty main dish for Sunday dinner, perfect for gathering loved ones around the table with warm, comforting flavors.
• Potluck Party Pleaser: Bring this baked ziti to community gatherings or potluck events, where it'll quickly become the star dish that everyone requests the recipe for.
• Game Day Delight: Cut into smaller portions and serve as a filling appetizer during sports watching parties, offering a crowd-pleasing meal that's easy to share and enjoy.
• Italian-Style Meal Prep: Portion out individual servings in meal prep containers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week, maintaining its delicious taste and texture.

Best Storage for Baked Ziti

• Store leftover Million Dollar Baked Ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and freezer burn.
• For freezing, place cooled ziti in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months.
• Label the container with the date and contents to track storage time.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute ziti with penne, rigatoni, or any similar tube-shaped pasta that holds sauce well.

• Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace ground beef or sausage with plant-based meat alternatives or sautéed vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers.

• How can I make this recipe more budget-friendly?

Use less expensive cheeses like store-brand mozzarella, skip cream cheese, or reduce the amount of meat by adding more pasta and sauce.

• Can I prepare Million Dollar Baked Ziti ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the dish completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

Million Dollar Baked Ziti to Impress

• Savor Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: This ziti recipe delivers mouthwatering layers of cheesy goodness that will make everyone at the table happy.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ground beef for sausage or add vegetables to personalize the dish and suit different taste preferences without complicated modifications.
• Simple Prep, Maximum Flavor: Minimal kitchen skills required to create a restaurant-quality pasta casserole that looks and tastes like you spent hours preparing.
• Family Meal Champion: Perfect for feeding a hungry group, this one-pan wonder provides hearty portions that satisfy both kids and adults with its rich, creamy texture and bold Italian-inspired flavors.

Ingredients for Million Dollar Baked Ziti

• Ziti Pasta: A classic tube-shaped pasta that holds sauce beautifully and provides the foundational structure for this hearty dish.

• Ground Beef, Ground Sausage: Adds rich, savory flavor and protein to create a satisfying main component of the recipe.

• Ricotta Cheese, Cream Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Provides creamy texture and deep, complex cheese flavor that makes this dish indulgent and comforting.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Pepper: Enhances overall flavor profile and brings depth to the dish.

• Marinara Sauce: Adds tangy, tomato-based moisture and traditional Italian-style flavor to the ziti.

• Fresh Parsley: Offers a fresh, bright finishing touch to the rich casserole.

• Foil: Used for covering the dish during initial baking to prevent excessive browning.

Step-by-Step for Million Dollar Baked Ziti

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Crank the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and coat it generously with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cook Perfect Pasta

Boil ziti pasta in salted water following package instructions until al dente. Drain completely and set aside in a colander.

Step 3: Brown Delicious Meat

Grab a large skillet and cook ground beef or Italian sausage over medium-high heat. Break the meat into small crumbles while cooking.

Once browned and no pink remains, drain excess fat.

• Ground beef or Italian sausage
• Marinara sauce

Stir marinara sauce into the meat and let simmer.

Step 4: Craft Creamy Cheese Mixture

• Ricotta cheese
• Cream cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 5: Create First Layer

Spread a thin layer of meat sauce across the bottom of the baking dish. Add half the cooked ziti, then dollop and spread half the cheese mixture evenly.

Step 6: Build Second Layer

Pour another layer of meat sauce over the first layer. Add remaining ziti and spread the rest of the cheese mixture on top.

Step 7: Add Cheesy Topping

Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese across the entire dish, creating a gorgeous golden blanket.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove foil and continue baking 10-15 minutes until cheese turns bubbly and golden brown.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Let the ziti rest for 5 minutes.

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up with joy.

Expert Tips for Baked Ziti

• Opt for ground beef or Italian sausage for richer flavor and added depth to the meat sauce.
• Use full-fat cream cheese and ricotta for a creamier, more luxurious texture that melts perfectly.
• Ensure pasta is slightly undercooked before baking, as it will continue cooking in the oven and absorb more sauce.
• Swap ground meat with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version, keeping the same delicious cheesy profile.
• Allow the ziti to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier without falling apart.

Top-Rated Baked Ziti Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Million dollar baked ziti combines hearty pasta with rich, creamy cheeses for an irresistible Italian-American casserole. Comfort cuisine reaches new heights with this crowd-pleasing dish you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ziti pasta
• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef or Italian sausage

Cheeses:

• 1 cup (245 grams) ricotta cheese
• 1 package (8 ounces/226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Sauces and Seasonings:

• 1 jar (24 ounces/680 grams) marinara sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 375°F (190°C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Cook ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, following package instructions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
3. Brown ground beef or sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking meat into small crumbles. Drain excess fat and incorporate marinara sauce, simmering for 2-3 minutes.
4. Create a creamy cheese mixture by blending ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until uniformly smooth.
5. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to prevent sticking.
6. Arrange half of the cooked ziti in an even layer, then generously spread half of the cheese mixture over the pasta.
7. Pour additional meat sauce across the cheese layer, ensuring complete coverage.
8. Add remaining ziti and complete the layering with the final portion of cheese mixture.
9. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over the top, creating a generous cheese coating.
10. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes at 375°F.
11. Remove foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until cheese turns golden and sauce bubbles around edges.
12. Allow the ziti to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve while warm.

Notes

• Customize meat by swapping ground beef with turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version.
• Mix different cheese types like provolone or fontina to create unique flavor profiles and add depth to the dish.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time and assemble quickly for busy weeknight meals, storing assembled casserole in refrigerator up to 24 hours before baking.
• Make dish gluten-free by using gluten-free ziti pasta and checking marinara sauce ingredients for potential gluten contamination.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 527 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 670 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg