Description
This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food! Layered with creamy ricotta, tangy sour cream, savory marinara, and gooey melted mozzarella, this baked pasta dish is rich, cheesy, and absolutely irresistible. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Cheese Layer:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For Topping:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil ziti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef or sausage (if using) until browned. Drain excess grease. Stir in marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Make the Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, mix ricotta, sour cream, cream cheese, egg, and Parmesan until smooth.
- Assemble the Ziti:
- Spread half of the cooked pasta in the baking dish.
- Dollop and spread the cheese mixture over the pasta.
- Add half of the sauce and spread evenly.
- Repeat with remaining pasta and sauce.
- Top with shredded mozzarella.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Notes
- Swap ground beef for Italian sausage or keep it meatless.
- Add a layer of sautéed spinach or mushrooms for extra flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
