Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a rich and creamy Italian-American pasta casserole featuring layers of perfectly cooked ziti, seasoned meat sauce, and a luscious blend of cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, and mozzarella. This ultimate baked ziti recipe is comfort food at its finest, topped with melted mozzarella and fresh basil for a deliciously cheesy and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage or ground beef and the diced onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is browned and the onion is softened, about 7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Mix Cheese Layer: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the cooked ziti evenly in the dish. Layer half of the cheese mixture over the pasta, followed by half of the meat sauce. Repeat the layering with the remaining pasta, cheese mixture, and meat sauce.
- Add Final Cheese Layer: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the assembled casserole.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. This helps the casserole heat through and the cheeses to melt.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the baked ziti from the oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped basil. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving to set the layers.
Notes
- This casserole can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake, making it a great make-ahead meal.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for the sausage and use reduced-fat cheeses.
- Serve alongside garlic bread and a fresh salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
