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Million Dollar Baked Ziti with Creamy Ricotta Layer

A square slice of baked ziti with a golden-brown, cheesy top served on a white plate.
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Create the ultimate comfort food with this Million Dollar Baked Ziti recipe. This dish layers tender ziti pasta with a rich meat sauce and a creamy, homemade ricotta mixture, topped with bubbling mozzarella for a satisfying family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the meat sauce. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off excess fat.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  5. While the sauce simmers, prepare the creamy ricotta mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Mix well until fully combined.
  6. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  7. Assemble the baked ziti. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with about two-thirds of the meat sauce. Mix gently to coat the pasta evenly.
  8. Spread half of the sauced pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer.
  9. Spread the remaining sauced pasta mixture over the ricotta layer. Top evenly with the shredded mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese.
  10. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground meat with 1 cup of cooked lentils or finely chopped mushrooms in the sauce.
  • If you prefer a ‘Million Dollar’ variation with extra richness, mix 4 ounces of softened cream cheese into the ricotta mixture.
  • You can prepare this entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it up to 24 hours before baking. Add about 10 minutes to the baking time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/best-baked-ziti-recipe-million-dollar/