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Million Dollar Baked Ziti: The Ultimate Cheesy Pasta Bake

A generous slice of baked pasta bake showing layers of pasta, sauce, and a golden, bubbly cheese topping.
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Make this rich, creamy, and cheesy Million Dollar Baked Ziti. This easy pasta bake recipe delivers ultimate comfort food perfection for your next family dinner or gathering.

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 aside.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then remove from heat.
  6. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese until combined.
  7. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the meat sauce, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
  8. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer.
  9. Top with the remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese and extra Parmesan cheese over the top.
  10. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  11. Let the pasta bake rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • For an even richer flavor, use a high-quality marinara sauce.
  • You can prepare this entire dish ahead of time, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.
  • This recipe works well with other short pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/best-million-dollar-pasta-bake-recipe/