Million Dollar Baked Ziti
A delightfully creamy and cheesy pasta dish filled and topped with a luscious blend of cheeses and marinara sauce. It's a perfect comforting meal for family dinners or gatherings that combines ziti pasta with a creamy cheese mixture, marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cream cheese softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped, optional
- 2 cups cooked ground beef or Italian sausage optional
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Add half of the cooked ziti pasta in an even layer. Spread half of the cheese mixture over the pasta. If using cooked ground beef or Italian sausage, sprinkle it over the cheese mixture. Pour half of the remaining marinara sauce over the cheese and meat. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, cheese mixture, and marinara sauce.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the assembled ziti.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your Million Dollar Baked Ziti.