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Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe

Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 26 reviews

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Million Dollar Baked Ziti recipe. Layers of perfectly cooked ziti pasta, savory meat sauce, and creamy cheese come together in a dish that’s sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

Ziti Pasta:

  • 12 oz ziti pasta

Meat Sauce:

  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cheese Mixture:

  • 15 oz ricotta cheese (whole milk)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook Ziti: Boil salted water, cook ziti until al dente, drain, and set aside.
  3. Prepare Meat Sauce: Brown ground beef or sausage in a skillet, add minced garlic, stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning, simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Prepare Cheese Mixture: Mix ricotta with half of the mozzarella and some Parmesan until creamy.
  5. Layer Ingredients: In a greased baking dish, layer half the ziti, meat sauce, and dollops of cheese mixture. Repeat layers.
  6. Bake: Cover with foil, bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, top with remaining mozzarella, bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until bubbly.

Notes

  • You can customize the meat in this recipe by using ground turkey or a mix of ground meats for a lighter option.
  • Feel free to add in some sautéed vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
  • This dish freezes well, so you can make a double batch and freeze one for later use.

Nutrition

Keywords: Baked ziti, Italian pasta, comfort food, cheesy pasta bake

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/million-dollar-baked-ziti-recipe/