Why You’ll Love Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe

This Million Dollar Baked Ziti earns its name because it tastes like a million bucks! Layers of pasta, rich tomato-meat sauce, creamy ricotta mixture, and gooey melted cheese come together in one bubbling casserole. It’s the perfect dish for Sunday dinner, feeding a crowd, or meal prepping for the week. Comforting, cheesy, and full of flavor — it’s a family favorite every time.

Ingredients

For the Pasta & Sauce

1 lb (450g) ziti pasta (or penne)
1 lb (450g) ground beef (or Italian sausage)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (or homemade)
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper

For the Creamy Cheese Layer

1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1 egg
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

For Topping

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until al dente, then drain.
Make the meat sauce: In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in marinara, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Prepare creamy cheese layer: In a bowl, mix ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, egg, and Parmesan until smooth.
Assemble the casserole: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased 9×13 baking dish, layer as follows:
- Half of the cooked ziti
- Half of the meat sauce
- All of the creamy cheese mixture
- Remaining ziti and sauce
- Top with mozzarella and Parmesan
Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Rest & serve: Let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Servings & Timing

Servings: 8–10
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 5 minutes

Variations

Meat lovers: Add cooked Italian sausage or pancetta for extra richness.
Vegetarian: Skip the meat and add sautéed zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms.
Spicy twist: Use spicy Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through or microwave individual portions.
Freeze unbaked ziti (wrapped tightly) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before baking.

FAQs

Q: Can I make Million Dollar Ziti ahead of time?
A: Yes! Assemble the dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Q: Can I substitute cottage cheese for ricotta?
A: Yes, cottage cheese works well and keeps the dish light.

Q: Do I have to use cream cheese?
A: Cream cheese gives it the “million dollar” richness, but you can leave it out if you prefer a lighter dish.

Conclusion

This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food — rich, creamy, cheesy, and satisfying. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, a potluck, or meal prep, it’s guaranteed to be a hit every single time.

Million Dollar Baked Ziti

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This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is the ultimate cheesy comfort food! Layers of tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella come together to make a hearty dish that tastes like a million bucks. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or when you want a filling, crowd-pleasing meal.

Author: Emily
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 1 hour
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Instructions

Cook pasta: Boil ziti in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant. Add ground beef/sausage and cook until browned. Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Mix cheese filling: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, cream cheese, cottage cheese (if using), egg, Parmesan, and 1 cup mozzarella. Mix until creamy.
Assemble ziti: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce. Layer half of the pasta, then half of the cheese mixture, followed by more sauce. Repeat with remaining pasta, cheese, and sauce.
Top with cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella on top.
Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley or basil. Serve warm.

Notes

You can use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
Add spinach or zucchini for extra veggies.
Make ahead: assemble and refrigerate (covered) for up to 24 hours before baking.
Freezer-friendly: Bake, cool, and freeze in portions for up to 3 months.