Description
This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful twist on the classic baked ziti. With a blend of ricotta, sour cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan, plus savory ground sausage or beef, it’s a crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage or ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground sausage (or beef) and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks (about 7-8 minutes).
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, ½ cup of Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- In a large baking dish, layer the ingredients. Start with a thin layer of the meat sauce, followed by half of the cooked pasta, then half of the ricotta mixture. Repeat with the remaining sauce, pasta, and ricotta mixture.
- Top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and ½ cup of Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute the ground Italian sausage with ground beef, turkey, or chicken if preferred.
- For extra creaminess, add more sour cream or ricotta cheese.
- For a spicy kick, you can increase the red pepper flakes or add hot sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Comfort Food
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian