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Million Dollar Cheesy Baked Ziti: The Ultimate Comfort Food Pasta Bake

A gooey, cheesy slice of baked pasta bake with rich meat sauce overflowing onto a white plate.
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This Million Dollar Baked Ziti recipe delivers rich, creamy, and cheesy comfort in one easy pasta bake. It is perfect for a satisfying weeknight pasta dinner or feeding a crowd.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the marinara sauce and tomato sauce. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Mix well until smooth.
  7. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, half of the meat sauce, and the ricotta mixture. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
  8. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
  9. Spoon the remaining meat sauce over the mozzarella layer. Top with the remaining pasta mixture.
  10. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and a little extra Parmesan cheese over the top layer.
  11. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  12. Let the baked pasta casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • For a make-ahead option, assemble the entire dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
  • If you want a richer flavor, substitute ground beef with mild or hot Italian sausage.
  • You can use any short pasta shape you like, such as penne or rigatoni, instead of ziti.

Nutrition

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