Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Million Dollar Baked Ziti recipe that combines layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheeses for a truly satisfying meal.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Pasta:
Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish:
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil ziti pasta until al dente, then drain.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Sauté garlic, brown ground beef, add marinara sauce, and season.
- Mix the Cheeses: Combine ricotta, sour cream, and mozzarella.
- Assemble the Dish: Layer pasta, cheese mixture, meat sauce, and remaining cheeses.
- Bake: Cover and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake additional 10-15 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with basil and serve warm.
Notes
- You can customize the meat sauce by adding Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
- Feel free to use different types of cheese like provolone or fontina for a unique twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Baked Ziti, Pasta, Meat Sauce, Italian, Comfort Food