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Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe

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Million Dollar Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food recipe packed with layers of creamy ricotta, mozzarella, marinara sauce, and savory ground meat. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or special occasions, this dish is both easy to make and irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • In a skillet, cook ground beef or sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat and stir in marinara sauce.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cream cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and season with salt and pepper. Mix until smooth.
  • Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  • Layer half of the cooked pasta over the sauce, followed by half of the cheese mixture. Repeat with remaining pasta and cheese mixture.
  • Top with remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.
  • Let it cool for 5 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat for a different flavor.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

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