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Million Dollar Baked Ziti with Creamy Ricotta

A generous square serving of baked ziti pasta layered with meat sauce and creamy ricotta, topped with melted, browned mozzarella cheese.
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Make this ultimate comfort food, Million Dollar Baked Ziti. This recipe features rich layers of savory sauce, tender ziti pasta, and a creamy, secret whipped ricotta filling, making it a hearty family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce (high quality recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

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 it is al dente (slightly firm). Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, prepare the meat sauce. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the ground meat to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
  6. Prepare the creamy ricotta mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well until smooth. This is the secret to creamy baked pasta.
  7. Assemble the casserole. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta and about two-thirds of the meat sauce. Mix gently to coat the pasta.
  8. Spread half of the sauced pasta mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the pasta layer, then gently spread it out slightly.
  9. Spoon the remaining meat sauce over the ricotta layer. Top with the remaining sauced pasta.
  10. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer. Sprinkle with a little extra Parmesan cheese.
  11. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
  12. Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before you slice and serve it.

Notes

  • For the best texture, use whole milk ricotta cheese; it holds up better during baking than part-skim versions.
  • If you are making this ahead of time, assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.
  • To achieve that perfect, gooey cheese top, reserve a small amount of mozzarella to sprinkle on during the last 5 minutes of baking if the top starts browning too quickly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/easy-million-dollar-baked-ziti-recipe/