Million Dollar Baked Ziti: A Rich and Cheesy Delight
This Million Dollar Baked Ziti recipe is a delicious and easy meal that’s perfect for a crowd! It features layers of ziti pasta, a rich meat sauce, and a creamy cheese mixture. Learn how to make this simple and satisfying baked ziti dish
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil ziti pasta as per package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add ground beef, cooking until browned. Drain any excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Mix the Cheeses: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
- Assemble the Dish: Layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish. Spread the cheese mixture over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta, followed by the meat sauce. Top with remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.