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Million Dollar Baked Ziti

This indulgent pasta casserole combines ziti with a four-cheese blend and meat sauce for a crowd-pleasing comfort food dish.

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A woman in an apron is preparing a meal in a sunny kitchen filled with fresh vegetables and herbs.
Updated on Fri, 03 Jan 2025 01:26:39 GMT
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A close-up of a serving of baked pasta with marinara sauce, ground meat, and topped with cheese and herbs in a white dish. Save it
A close-up of a serving of baked pasta with marinara sauce, ground meat, and topped with cheese and herbs in a white dish. | myhomemaderecipe.com

Let me share my absolute favorite pasta bake with you: Million Dollar Baked Ziti! I perfected this recipe over countless Sunday dinners, and it's become our family's most requested meal. With layers of cheesy goodness, hearty meat sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, it truly lives up to its name. Every time I make it, the kitchen fills with the most amazing aroma, and everyone starts hovering around asking when dinner will be ready!

Why This Recipe is Pure Gold

This isn't your ordinary pasta bake! It's loaded with four different kinds of cheese (yes, four!), the most flavorful meat sauce, and it's actually easier to make than you might think. I love how versatile it is too whether I'm hosting a casual family dinner or bringing a dish to a potluck, it never fails to impress. My sister-in-law even requested it for her birthday dinner last year!

Let's Gather Our Ingredients

  • Pasta: I love ziti, but penne works great too grab the good stuff!
  • Italian Sausage: This adds so much flavor, but ground beef is fantastic too.
  • Our Sauce: Use your favorite marinara the better the sauce, the better the dish!
  • The Cheese Squad: Ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, AND parmesan we're not holding back here!
  • Eggs: These bind everything together like magic.
  • Fresh Herbs: I love fresh basil, but parsley is beautiful too.

Let's Make Some Magic

Pasta First
Here's a pro tip: cook it just shy of al dente it'll finish cooking in the oven to perfection!
Meat & Sauce
Brown that meat with some onions until your kitchen smells amazing. Then add the garlic it's like aromatherapy!
Cheese Heaven
Mix up all those creamy cheeses this is where the 'million dollar' magic happens.
Layer it Up
Think of it like building the world's most delicious lasagna. Every layer should be a little celebration!
Bake to Perfection
The hardest part is waiting while it gets all golden and bubbly.

My Best Tips

After making this countless times, I've learned a few tricks! Always grate your own cheese it melts so much better than pre-shredded. Don't skip that pasta rinse it prevents the noodles from sticking together. And a tiny pinch of sugar in the marinara? Game changer!

A plate of baked pasta with meat sauce, topped with melted cheese and garnished with parsley. Save it
A plate of baked pasta with meat sauce, topped with melted cheese and garnished with parsley. | myhomemaderecipe.com

Keeping It Fresh

This ziti actually gets better after a day or two in the fridge the flavors have time to get friendly! It freezes beautifully too I often make two batches and freeze one for those crazy busy weeks. Just remember to wrap it well, and your future self will thank you!

Mix It Up

Feel free to make this recipe your own! Sometimes I add mushrooms or spinach when I want to sneak in some veggies. Hot Italian sausage adds a nice kick if you're feeling spicy. And that cheese blend? Feel free to experiment my neighbor makes an amazing version with smoked mozzarella!

Serving It Up

I love serving this with a big green salad and some garlic bread for soaking up every last bit of sauce. If you're feeling fancy, open a bottle of red wine your favorite Cabernet would be perfect here. For casual nights? Some sparkling water with lemon keeps things light and refreshing!

A close-up view of a baked pasta casserole topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh parsley. Save it
A close-up view of a baked pasta casserole topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh parsley. | myhomemaderecipe.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why undercook the pasta?

Pasta should be cooked 2 minutes less than al dente because it continues cooking in the oven. This prevents mushy pasta in the final dish.

→ Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?

Yes, a 16-ounce container of cottage cheese can replace the ricotta. It provides similar creaminess with a different texture and higher protein content.

→ Why rinse the pasta?

Rinsing under cold water stops the cooking process and prevents the pasta from overcooking. It also removes excess starch that could make the dish gummy.

→ Why let it rest before serving?

The 10-minute rest allows the cheese to set slightly so the servings hold their shape better. It also prevents burning from extremely hot cheese.

→ Can I make this ahead?

Assemble up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. Add 10-15 minutes to covered baking time if cooking from cold. Wait to add final cheese layer until baking.

Conclusion

This indulgent pasta casserole combines ziti with a four-cheese blend and meat sauce for a crowd-pleasing comfort food dish.

Baked Ziti

A rich and creamy baked pasta dish featuring four different cheeses, meat sauce, and perfectly cooked ziti, topped with melted mozzarella.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
50 Minutes
Total Time
70 Minutes
By: Zaho

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (8 servings)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 Ziti or penne pasta (1 pound).
02 Olive oil (1 tablespoon).
03 Italian sausage or ground beef (1 pound).
04 Onion, finely chopped (1 small).
05 Garlic, minced (3 cloves).
06 Marinara sauce (2 24-ounce jars).
07 Cream cheese, softened (8 ounces).
08 Large eggs (2).
09 Ricotta cheese, drained (15 ounces).
10 Sour cream (1/2 cup).
11 Mozzarella cheese, shredded (3 cups divided).
12 Parmesan cheese, grated (1 cup).
13 Salt (1/2 teaspoon).
14 Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon).
15 Fresh parsley or basil for garnish.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease 9x13 baking dish. Cook pasta 2 minutes less than al dente.

Step 02

Cook sausage and onion until meat is browned. Add garlic, then marinara. Simmer 10 minutes.

Step 03

Beat cream cheese, then blend in eggs, ricotta, sour cream, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, salt and pepper.

Step 04

Mix 1 cup sauce into cheese mixture. Stir in pasta. Transfer to baking dish, top with remaining sauce and mozzarella.

Step 05

Cover with greased foil, bake 20 minutes. Uncover, bake 20 more minutes until bubbly. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  1. Can substitute cottage cheese for ricotta.
  2. Undercook pasta to prevent mushiness.
  3. Can make ahead and refrigerate.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13 baking dish.
  • Large skillet.
  • Large pot.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Eggs.
  • Gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 505
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 25 g