Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that’s perfect for family gatherings. With rich flavors and easy preparation, it’s comfort food at its finest.
Ingredients
- Ziti pasta
- Ground beef
- Marinara sauce
- Ricotta cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown ground beef with salt and pepper for 5-7 minutes. Add marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until smooth.
- Combine cooked pasta with the meat sauce, then layer half in a greased baking dish.
- Add dollops of ricotta and sprinkle mozzarella on top. Repeat layers, finishing with mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly, garnish with fresh basil, and serve.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 200g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Substitute ground turkey or add spinach for a healthier twist. Consider adding a pinch of sugar to the marinara sauce for extra flavor.