If you’re searching for a truly decadent and deeply satisfying pasta dish, look no further than this Million Dollar Baked Ziti. This recipe delivers incredible flavor and a luxurious texture, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions without breaking the bank.
Key Ingredients for Million Dollar Baked Ziti
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, casing removed)
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 ounces shredded provolone cheese
How to Make Million Dollar Baked Ziti
This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is surprisingly straightforward to prepare, offering a rich, creamy, and incredibly flavorful Italian-American classic that’s perfect for any occasion. With about a 30-minute prep time and a 30-minute bake time, you’ll have a delightful, cost-effective meal on your table in under an hour, boasting a wonderfully cheesy and hearty texture that families adore.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ziti and cook according to package directions until al dente (slightly firm to the bite). Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown Sausage & Aromatics: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything together to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Stir until well combined and smooth.
- Assemble the Baked Ziti: Add the cooked and drained ziti to the skillet with the simmering sauce. Stir gently to coat the pasta evenly.
- Layer the Dish: Spread about half of the pasta and sauce mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Sprinkle about half of the shredded mozzarella and provolone cheeses over the ricotta.
- Add Second Layer: Spoon the remaining pasta and sauce mixture over the cheese layer. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella and provolone cheeses. Sprinkle with a little extra grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Brown the Top: Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the Million Dollar Baked Ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Million Dollar Baked Ziti
This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is an absolute showstopper, boasting a dream team of creamy ricotta, rich marinara sauce, and perfectly cooked ziti, all blanketed in perfectly melted mozzarella and provolone cheese. It’s the kind of intensely satisfying Italian-American classic that feels like a hug in a bowl, offering a delightful contrast to lighter pasta dishes and providing incredible value compared to ordering takeout. The blend of savory Italian sausage and aromatic herbs elevates each bite, making it a truly memorable meal.
Forget the hassle and expense of a trattoria; this homemade Million Dollar Baked Ziti delivers all the authentic flavors and comforting textures you crave at a fraction of the cost. Imagine serving this cheesy, bubbly masterpiece to your loved ones – it’s guaranteed to disappear fast! Don’t wait, gather your ingredients and prepare to bake up your new favorite comfort food.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Leftovers from your delicious Million Dollar Baked Ziti can be stored and enjoyed for days to come.
- Refrigeration: Once the baked ziti has cooled completely, tightly cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions or the entire dish. Wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, or place in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat from the refrigerator, place a portion in a microwave-safe dish and heat until warmed through, or reheat the entire dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven until bubbly, covering with foil for the first 15-20 minutes and then uncovering for the last 5-10 minutes.
- Reheating from Frozen: Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as directed above. You can also reheat directly from frozen in a 350°F (175°C) oven, increasing the baking time by approximately 15-20 minutes, and ensuring it’s heated through.
Final Thoughts
This Million Dollar Baked Ziti truly lives up to its name, offering a gourmet experience that’s both budget-friendly and incredibly delicious. Give this comforting classic a try; it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will become a staple in your recipe rotation.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ziti and cook according to package directions until al dente (slightly firm to the bite). Drain the pasta and set aside.1 pound ziti pasta
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, casing removed), 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped, 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything together to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Stir until well combined and smooth.1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese, 1 large large egg, lightly beaten, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- Add the cooked and drained ziti to the skillet with the simmering sauce. Stir gently to coat the pasta evenly.1 pound ziti pasta, 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Spread about half of the pasta and sauce mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Sprinkle about half of the shredded mozzarella and provolone cheeses over the ricotta.8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese, 4 ounces shredded provolone cheese, 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese, 1 large large egg, lightly beaten, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- Spoon the remaining pasta and sauce mixture over the cheese layer. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella and provolone cheeses. Sprinkle with a little extra grated Parmesan cheese.8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese, 4 ounces shredded provolone cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
- Let the Million Dollar Baked Ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish