Million Dollar Cheesy Baked Ziti: The Ultimate Comfort Food Pasta Bake
You need a rich, satisfying dinner that feels special but cooks easily. This Million Dollar Baked Ziti recipe delivers creamy, cheesy comfort in one dish, perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 55 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (15 ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- 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 8 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
- Stir the marinara sauce, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the skillet with the meat mixture. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then remove from heat.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and parsley until combined. This is your creamy layer.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with half of the meat sauce. Mix well to coat the pasta.
- Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta layer. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
- Top with the remaining pasta mixture, followed by the remaining ricotta mixture. Pour the remaining meat sauce over the top layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and a little extra Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.
- Let the **easy pasta bake recipe** rest for 10 minutes before you cut and serve it.
Notes
- For a make ahead pasta bake, assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add about 10 minutes to the covered baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.
- If you want a richer flavor, substitute half of the ground beef with ground Italian sausage.
- This dish freezes well. Cool completely, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 32
- Cholesterol: 95