Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry ziti or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef
- 1 small onion
finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
minced
- 2 jars marinara sauce
24 ounce
- 1 block cream cheese
softened, 8 ounce
- 2 large eggs
- 1 container ricotta cheese
drained, 15 ounce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
divided
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- or to taste1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley or basil
chopped, for garnish
Directions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 375°Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until 2 minutes before al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, drain again, and set aside.
- 3
Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and onion and cook, stirring constantly, until the meat is no longer pink. Break it apart with a wooden spoon into crumbles as it cooks.
- 4
Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then, mix in both jars of marinara sauce and let it simmer gently on low heat for 10 minutes to combine the flavors.
- 5
While the sauce simmers, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Blend in the eggs, followed by the ricotta cheese, sour cream, half of the mozzarella, all of the Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and well-blended.
- 6
Mix about 1 cup of the sauce into the cheese mix until smooth. Gently stir the cooked pasta into the mixture until well coated.
- 7
Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with the remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- 8
Spray a sheet of foil lightly with cooking spray and cover the dish. Bake for 20 minutes, remove the foil, and bake again for another 20 minutes. It’s ready when the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- 9
Remove the ziti from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil for a fresh and colorful finish. Enjoy!
Million Dollar Baked Ziti
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About this Recipe
Craving that ultimate comfort food experience? This Million Dollar Baked Ziti delivers an incredibly rich and cheesy pasta dish right to your dinner table, perfect for satisfying those deep cravings. It's a truly decadent take on a classic, promising to be a new family favorite.
What sets this baked ziti apart is its truly decadent cheese blend, combining creamy ricotta, tangy sour cream, and a secret ingredient—softened cream cheese—alongside plenty of mozzarella and Parmesan. This ensures every bite is incredibly rich and moist, far from dry or bland, while pairing beautifully with a hearty meat sauce.
Prepare for an utterly comforting and satisfying meal. Each forkful is a harmonious blend of tender ziti pasta, deeply savory meat sauce, and an abundance of gooey, melted cheese, creating a truly luxurious experience. You'll find this dish to be surprisingly manageable for such a grand result, with a prep time of around 20 minutes before it bakes to golden perfection in the oven for about 50 minutes. The rich layers guarantee a comforting, cheesy, and tender texture throughout.
This versatile Million Dollar Baked Ziti allows for easy adjustments. Feel free to swap the Italian sausage for ground beef if you prefer, or use penne pasta instead of ziti for similar results. You can also play with the herbs, using fresh basil instead of parsley for a different aromatic touch, or even adjust the type of marinara sauce to suit your taste.
This hearty baked ziti is ideal for a comforting family dinner, a casual gathering, or a potluck where you want to impress. Serve it alongside a fresh green salad and some crusty bread to soak up every last bit of that amazing sauce.