Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a rich and comforting Italian-American classic pasta casserole featuring layers of tender ziti pasta, savory Italian sausage, creamy cheese blends, and hearty tomato sauce, all baked to bubbly cheesy perfection. This ultimate baked ziti recipe is perfect for family dinners or entertaining and can be prepared ahead for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and diced onion, cooking until the meat is browned and the onion is softened, about 7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Simmer Sauce: To the skillet, add the marinara sauce, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Mix Cheese Blend: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
- Assemble Layers: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the cooked pasta evenly in the dish. Top with half of the cheese mixture, followed by half of the meat sauce. Repeat the layering with the remaining pasta, cheese mixture, and meat sauce, creating two layers total.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the assembled casserole.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. This will heat everything through and meld the flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh basil before slicing and serving.
Notes
- This dish can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake, making it great for meal prep or entertaining.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for sausage and use reduced-fat cheeses.
- Serve with garlic bread and a fresh green salad for a well-rounded meal.
- To make it vegetarian, omit the meat and increase the cheese and tomato sauce accordingly.
