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Million Dollar Baked Ziti

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Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a creamy, cheesy, and hearty pasta casserole layered with rich meat sauce and a decadent cheese mixture. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this dish combines the best of lasagna and baked pasta in one indulgent pan.

Ingredients

  1. 1 lb ziti or penne pasta
  2. 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
  3. 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  4. 3 garlic cloves, minced
  5. 4 cups marinara or pasta sauce
  6. 8 oz cream cheese or 1 cup sour cream
  7. 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
  8. 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
  9. 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
  10. 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  11. Salt and pepper, to taste
  12. Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

  1. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, cook beef or sausage with onion over medium heat until browned. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute.
  3. Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer 5–10 minutes.
  4. In a bowl, mix ricotta, cream cheese (or sour cream), half the mozzarella, and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Spoon a little sauce into the bottom of the baking dish. Layer half the pasta, half the cheese mixture, and half the meat sauce.
  6. Repeat layers with remaining pasta, cheese mixture, and sauce.
  7. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  8. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  9. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or basil.

Notes

  • Cook pasta just until al dente since it will soften more in the oven.
  • For extra heat, use spicy Italian sausage.
  • Add spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for more veggies.
  • Assemble up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
  • Freezes well for up to 2 months—thaw overnight before baking or reheating.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/million-dollar-baked-ziti/