Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a decadent twist on a classic Italian dish. With rich ricotta, sour cream, ground sausage or beef, and a medley of cheeses, this creamy, flavorful pasta bake is sure to become a family favorite. It’s the perfect comfort food for any occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage or ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the meat: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage (or beef) and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Add garlic and sauce: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the meat and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Assemble the ziti: In a large baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti pasta. Top with half of the meat sauce mixture, followed by half of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, meat sauce, and cheese mixture. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, you can add an additional ¼ cup of sour cream or ricotta to the cheese mixture.
- This dish can be assembled ahead of time and baked later for convenience.
- If you like a spicier kick, add more red pepper flakes to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American