Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a rich and creamy Italian-American casserole that combines tender ziti pasta with a savory meat sauce made from ground beef and Italian sausage. Layered with a luscious mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, and mozzarella, this baked pasta dish is finished with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses for a golden, bubbly topping. Perfectly comforting and crowd-pleasing, it’s an ideal meal for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 small yellow 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 and Topping
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic, ground beef, and Italian sausage, cooking until the meat is browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the marinara sauce, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Mix the Cheese Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and ricotta cheese. Mix until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese until evenly incorporated.
- Assemble the Baked Ziti: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add half of the cooked ziti pasta on top of the sauce, then dollop and gently spread the cheese mixture over the pasta layer. Add another layer of meat sauce, followed by the remaining pasta. Pour the remaining meat sauce over the top layer. Sprinkle with the remaining shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly across the surface.
- Bake the Dish: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the baked ziti to rest for 10 minutes after coming out of the oven to set. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if preferred for a slightly different texture and flavor.
- For a spicier variation, use hot Italian sausage instead of mild, or add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- This dish freezes well before baking; assemble the casserole and freeze, then bake directly from frozen, adding additional cooking time as needed.
