Million dollar baked ziti will make you the Mealtime Hero from here on out.
This comforting bake is not your average pasta dish. It’s an invitation to gather around the table and share moments with loved ones.
It’s cozy and indulgent with layers of chewy pasta, meat sauce, mozzarella, ricotta, and fresh herbs.
Baked Ziti is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to impress. But it’s fantastic for weeknights, too!
Why You’ll Love This Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Cheesy Crowd-Pleaser: With its rich combination of cheeses, hearty sausage, and savory marinara, this baked ziti is guaranteed to impress guests.
Easy to Make: Straightforward steps and minimal prep time make this recipe accessible for cooks of all skill levels.
Versatile Dish: This recipe is customizable, so feel free to use cottage cheese, cheddar, or even a spicy pasta sauce if you like.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep it in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready for stress-free entertaining.
Ingredients
- Ziti or Penne Pasta: Tubular pasta shapes hold the sauce well and provide the perfect foundation for this hearty casserole.
- Italian Sausage (or Ground Beef): Adds rich, savory flavor. Italian sausage offers more seasoning and spices than ground beef, but it’s up to you.
- Onion & Garlic: Aromatics that create a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Marinara Sauce: This tomato-based sauce forms the core of this dish. It brings classic Italian flavors and the necessary moisture.
- Ricotta Cheese: A creamy Italian whey cheese that adds a light, fluffy texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor.
- Cream Cheese: Melts beautifully and creates an extra creamy texture throughout the casserole.
- Sour Cream: Adds richness and helps create the signature creamy sauce.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Provides a characteristic stretchy texture and creates a golden, bubbly top layer.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty flavor.
- Eggs: Help hold the cheese mixture together and create a more cohesive texture.
- Fresh Parsley or Basil: Aromatic herbs that add color and fresh flavor, cutting through the richness.
How to Make Million Dollar Baked Ziti
So, why is this baked ziti called “Million Dollar”?
The name reflects the luxurious combination of rich flavors and creamy textures that make this dish feel indulgent and special.
Still, it’s a breeze to make at home:
1. PREHEAT the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. COOK the pasta for 2 minutes less than al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, drain again, and set aside.
3. SAUTÉ the sausage and onion until the meat is no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks.
4. ADD the garlic, then the marinara sauce, and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
5. BEAT the cream cheese until smooth. Blend in the eggs, then mix in ricotta, sour cream, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
6. STIR in 1 cup of the sauce until smooth, then gently mix in the cooked pasta. Transfer the pasta mix to the greased baking dish.
7. TOP with the remaining marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Cover the dish with lightly greased foil.
8. BAKE for 20 minutes, remove the foil, and bake for an additional 20 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden.
9. REST the baked ziti for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil. Enjoy!
Tips For the Best Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Million dollar baked ziti is a dish that combines simplicity with sophistication, making it a favorite for both casual meals and festive gatherings.
It’s one of those meals that fills your house with that warm, irresistible aroma as it bakes, and when you pull it out of the oven, you know you’re in for something memorable.
Never made baked ziti? No worries! I have a few handy tips below:
- Undercook the pasta. If you cook it until tender, it will soften even more in the oven and can become mushy.
- Use fresh cheese. Freshly shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan give the dish better melting and flavor.
- Add sugar to the sauce. A teaspoon of sugar in store-bought marinara sauce can help balance the acidity of the tomatoes for a richer taste.
- Add spices. Enhance flavor with Italian herbs such as oregano and basil, or add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Make ahead. Assemble the dish in advance and refrigerate overnight. Bake it when ready, adding extra time if it’s cold.
- Pasta options. While ziti pasta is traditional, you can also use penne, rigatoni, or gluten-free pasta.
- Variations. Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner dish, or add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for added nutrition and color.
- Serving suggestions. Pair the baked ziti with cheesy garlic bread or a simple green salad.
How to Store
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself to something extra comforting, this baked ziti is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Better yet, the leftovers are just as tasty!
To Store: Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-5 days.
To Freeze, Cool the baked ziti completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to two months.
To Reheat: Bake leftovers at 400°Fahrenheit, covered with foil, for about 30 minutes. Add a little marinara sauce on top before reheating to prevent drying out.
More Pasta Bakes You Have to Try
Baked Rigatoni Pasta Recipe
TikTok Baked Feta Pasta
Pizza Pasta Bake
Baked Tortellini
Million Dollar Baked Ziti
8
servings20
minutes50
minutes505
kcalThis million dollar baked ziti features a decadent combination of four cheeses, meat sauce, and tender pasta. It’s creamy, cheesy and oh-so-comforting.
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 (24 ounce) jars marinara sauce
1 (8 ounce) block cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese, drained
1/2 cup sour cream
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Mix about 1 cup of the sauce into the cheese mix until smooth. Gently stir the cooked pasta into the mixture until well coated.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with the remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- 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.
- 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!
Notes
- Undercook the pasta so it doesn’t turn to mush in the oven.
- Use 1 (16-ounce) container of cottage cheese instead of ricotta.
