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Million Dollar Baked Ziti

Million Dollar Baked Ziti: Creamy Comfort for Your Family

Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a comforting dish with layers of creamy ricotta, savory sauce, and tender pasta that delights families and friends.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 1 pound Ziti Pasta Penne or rigatoni are great substitutes if needed.
For the Meat Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Vegetable oil works if you're out of olive oil.
  • 3 cloves Garlic (minced) Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, but pre-minced is a time saver.
  • 1 pound Ground Beef Swap for Italian sausage or a meat alternative if preferred.
  • 24 ounces Marinara Sauce Use homemade or store-bought based on your time constraints.
For the Cheesy Mixture
  • 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese Cream cheese can work as an alternative if you’re in a hurry.
  • 1 cup Sour Cream Plain Greek yogurt can be a healthy substitute.
  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese (shredded) Fresh mozzarella offers an upscale touch while pre-shredded is super convenient.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated) Nutritional yeast is an excellent dairy-free alternative.
For Garnishing
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Basil (optional) Adds freshness and a gorgeous pop of color.

Equipment

  • Oven
  • large pot
  • Large Skillet
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • mixing bowl
  • spatula

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet, cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat and stir in marinara sauce, simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup of mozzarella until creamy.
  6. Layer half of the cooked ziti in the baking dish, spread cheese mixture over it, and then add remaining ziti on top.
  7. Pour meat sauce over the top layer of pasta, spreading it evenly.
  8. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top.
  9. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
  10. Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil if desired before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For best results, let your baked ziti rest for at least 10 minutes before serving to enhance the flavors and make slicing easier.

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