Description

Million Dollar Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food that elevates traditional baked pasta with layers of creamy ricotta, tangy sour cream, savory marinara, and melted mozzarella. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or weeknight meals, this irresistible dish will leave everyone asking for seconds. Ready in under an hour, it’s as easy as it is delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ziti pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add ground beef, cooking until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Mix the Cheeses:
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Stir until smooth.
Assemble the Ziti:
- Spread half the cooked pasta in the prepared baking dish.
- Evenly spread the cheese mixture over the pasta.
- Add the remaining pasta and top with the meat sauce.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve:
Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve warm.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for variation.
This dish can be assembled in advance and baked when ready to serve.