Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 35 minutes Total Time 50 minutes Description
This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food! 🍽️✨ Packed with layers of rich marinara, creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and savory Italian sausage, this dish is pure indulgence. The secret? A luscious, cheesy mixture that gives it a "million-dollar" taste and texture. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this baked ziti is easy to make and guaranteed to impress. Serve it with garlic bread and a fresh salad for a restaurant-quality meal at home. Try it today—you won’t regret it! 😋
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage or ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Không có dữ liệu tab nào được thiết lập.
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the ziti pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage (or beef) and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces.
- Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Make the Cheese Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well until smooth.
- Assemble the Ziti:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta and the meat sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Spread half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with half of the cheese mixture.
- Repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese mixtures. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and ½ cup of Parmesan cheese.
- Bake the Ziti:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a burst of color and flavor.
Notes
- You can make this dish ahead of time by assembling the ziti and storing it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
- To freeze, assemble the ziti and cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months, then bake from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 45-50 minutes.
- For a lighter version, you can swap the sour cream with Greek yogurt.