Description
A delicious and hearty Million Dollar Baked Ziti recipe that is perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic until the beef is cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti, meat sauce mixture, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses on top.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based meat alternative.
- Add vegetables like spinach or bell peppers to the meat sauce for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg