Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a sumptuous twist on the classic baked pasta dish that takes comfort food to an entirely new level. Combining layers of tender ziti pasta with a rich and creamy blend of cheeses, this recipe features a delightful mix of ricotta, sour cream, and mozzarella that creates a luscious texture and flavor profile. The addition of savory ground beef and tangy marinara sauce ensures every bite is packed with hearty goodness, making it perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or cozy nights at home.<\/p>\n
What sets this baked ziti apart is its indulgent layering technique, which not only enhances the flavors but also creates a visually appealing dish. The creamy cheese mixture is spread between layers of pasta and meat sauce, resulting in a satisfying combination that will impress even the pickiest eaters. Topped with a golden layer of melted cheese, this dish is as comforting as it is delicious.<\/p>\n
Easy to prepare and ideal for sharing, Million Dollar Baked Ziti is sure to become a favorite in any household. Whether you\u2019re serving it at a gathering or enjoying it as a weeknight meal, this recipe guarantees smiles around the table. With its perfect balance of flavors and textures, this baked ziti is truly a must-try for pasta lovers everywhere!
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Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe
\nMillion Dollar Baked Ziti elevates the classic baked pasta dish to new heights of indulgence. With a creamy blend of ricotta, tangy sour cream, and melty mozzarella, this recipe creates a rich and satisfying meal that is sure to impress. Ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or cozy nights in, this dish features savory marinara sauce, hearty ground beef, and a golden-brown cheese topping that makes it both comforting and flavorful. Each layer of pasta and creamy cheese ensures that every bite is packed with deliciousness.<\/p>\n
Ingredients
\n\u2022 1 pound ziti pasta
\n\u2022 1 pound ground beef
\n\u2022 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
\n\u2022 1 cup ricotta cheese
\n\u2022 1 cup sour cream
\n\u2022 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
\n\u2022 \u00bd cup grated Parmesan cheese
\n\u2022 2 cloves garlic, minced
\n\u2022 1 tablespoon olive oil
\n\u2022 Salt and pepper to taste
\n\u2022 Fresh basil for garnish (optional)<\/p>\n
Directions<\/p>\n
1. Preheat and Prepare:
\n\u2022 Preheat your oven to 375\u00b0F (190\u00b0C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
\n2. Cook the Pasta:
\n\u2022 Boil ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
\n3. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
\n\u2022 In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Saut\u00e9 minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat, then stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
\n4. Mix the Cheeses:
\n\u2022 In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
\n5. Assemble the Dish:
\n\u2022 Layer half of the cooked pasta in the baking dish. Spread the cheese mixture over the pasta, followed by the remaining pasta and then the meat sauce. Top with the remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
\n6. Bake:
\n\u2022 Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
\n7. Serve:
\n\u2022 Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve warm.
\nCooking Times
\n\u2022 Prep Time: 20 minutes
\n\u2022 Cooking Time: 35 minutes
\n\u2022 Total Time: 55 minutes
\nNutritional Information
\n\u2022 Calories: Approximately 520 kcal per serving
\n\u2022 Servings: 6 servings<\/p>\n
This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is not only easy to prepare but also perfect for sharing with loved ones\u2014making it a must-try for pasta enthusiasts everywhere!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a sumptuous twist on the classic baked pasta dish that takes comfort food to an entirely new level. Combining layers of tender ziti pasta with a rich and creamy blend of cheeses, this recipe features a delightful mix of ricotta, sour cream, and mozzarella that creates a luscious texture and […]<\/p>\nContinue Reading ...<\/a>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5597,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-5596","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-easy-recipes"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archshapper.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5596","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archshapper.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archshapper.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archshapper.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archshapper.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5596"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/archshapper.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5596\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5598,"href":"https:\/\/archshapper.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5596\/revisions\/5598"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archshapper.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5597"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archshapper.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5596"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archshapper.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5596"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archshapper.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5596"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}