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Million Dollar Baked Ziti

A plated serving of Million Dollar Baked Ziti with melted cheese and garnish.

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This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a creamy cheesy pasta dish that melts in your mouth. It combines rich ricotta, melted mozzarella, and savory marinara with perfectly cooked ziti for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz ziti pasta
  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese (whole milk)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente and drain.
  3. In a skillet, brown ground beef or Italian sausage with minced garlic until fully cooked; drain excess fat.
  4. Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning, simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and cooked meat sauce.
  6. Add cooked ziti to the mixture and stir until combined.
  7. Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish, top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
  8. Bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or fresh basil
  • Use whole milk cheeses for creamier texture
  • Leftovers taste great reheated with a splash of marinara

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