Treat your family to the ultimate comfort food with this Million Dollar Baked Ziti recipe, which combines creamy, cheesy layers with hearty tomato meat sauce and tender pasta. This dish is perfect for gatherings or a satisfying weeknight dinner, bringing classic Italian flavors to your table with a rich and decadent twist.
Ready to impress with this deliciously layered pasta dish? Let’s dive into making Million Dollar Baked Ziti that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Decadent and Delicious: The Ultimate Pasta Bake
Creating Million Dollar Baked Ziti involves layering ingredients to achieve a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Here’s how to ensure your baked ziti turns out perfectly every time.
Expert Tips for Perfect Baked Ziti:
- Pasta Prep: Cook the ziti until just al dente to prevent it from becoming too soft during baking.
- Rich Meat Sauce: Sauté onions and garlic before adding ground beef to ensure a flavorful foundation for the sauce.
- Creamy Layer: Combine ricotta with sour cream and herbs for a creamy, flavorful mixture that adds richness to the dish.
- Layering Technique: Carefully layer the pasta, sauce, and cheese mixture to ensure each bite is moist and flavorful.
- Generous Cheese Topping: Use plenty of mozzarella and Parmesan for a gooey, golden top layer.
- Baking Covered and Uncovered: Start by baking covered to keep moisture in, then uncover to allow the cheese to brown and bubble.

Recipe for Million Dollar Baked Ziti:
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Cooking time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Equipment: 9×13 inch baking dish, large pot, large skillet
Indulge in a hearty and luxurious pasta dish that’s packed with flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté onion and garlic until softened. Add ground beef and cook until browned; drain grease. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer.
- Mix Cheese Layer: In a bowl, combine ricotta, sour cream, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Layer the Dish: In the greased baking dish, layer half of the ziti, half of the sauce, and half of the ricotta mixture. Repeat layers. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish stand for 10 minutes before serving to allow layers to set.
Enjoy Your Culinary Creation
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is not just a meal; it’s a hearty, satisfying experience that combines all the best elements of baked pasta dishes. Serve it hot for a cozy family dinner or as a show-stopping dish at your next gathering. Enjoy the rich layers of pasta, creamy cheese, and robust sauce that make this dish truly special.
Print
Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Indulge in a hearty and luxurious pasta dish that’s packed with flavor.
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté onion and garlic until softened. Add ground beef and cook until browned; drain grease. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer.
- Mix Cheese Layer: In a bowl, combine ricotta, sour cream, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Layer the Dish: In the greased baking dish, layer half of the ziti, half of the sauce, and half of the ricotta mixture. Repeat layers. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish stand for 10 minutes before serving to allow layers to set.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
