Ultimate Million Dollar Baked Ziti
This Ultimate Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a crowd-pleaser with layers of ziti pasta, creamy ricotta, rich marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella. Perfect for feeding a family or impressing guests, this dish is both comforting and indulgent.
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- 1 colander
- 1 9x13 inch baking dish
- 2 mixing bowls
- 1 spoon or spatula
- 1 aluminum foil
- 1 oven
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 24 ounces marinara sauce 1 jar
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- to taste salt and pepper
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- In the baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti, followed by half of the meat sauce, and half of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with one cup of mozzarella cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients: ziti, meat sauce, ricotta mixture, and finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses on top.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before garnishing with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Feel free to add vegetables such as spinach or mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra flavor and nutrition. For a spicier kick, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce. This baked ziti can be prepared in advance and refrigerated before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge. Enjoy your homemade Million Dollar Baked Ziti!