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Million Dollar Baked Ziti: The Ultimate Cheesy Pasta Bake

A close-up, appetizing slice of baked ziti or rigatoni pasta bake with rich meat sauce and melted, browned cheese topping.
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Make this rich and creamy Million Dollar Baked Ziti for a satisfying family dinner. This easy pasta bake layers ziti with marinara, meat, and a blend of cheeses for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Stir the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the skillet with the meat mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
  6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the meat sauce, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir gently to coat the pasta evenly.
  7. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer.
  8. Top with the remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and a little extra Parmesan cheese over the top.
  9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  10. Let the pasta bake rest for 10 minutes before you cut and serve it.

Notes

  • You can prepare this entire dish ahead of time, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Add about 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.
  • Use your favorite quality marinara sauce for the best flavor in this rich pasta bake.
  • For an extra layer of flavor, mix 1/2 cup of cream cheese into the ricotta mixture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://gourmetgaze.com/million-dollar-baked-ziti-pasta-bake/