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Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Caroline

Million Dollar Baked Ziti

This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a comforting, cheesy pasta bake layered with rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella — a hearty family favorite perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ziti pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.5 tsp dried basil
  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 15 oz whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Equipment

  • large pot
  • saucepan
  • Medium bowl
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • aluminum foil
  • colander
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  3. In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion for 5–7 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Add oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, and egg. Mix until smooth and season with salt and pepper.
  5. Mix the cooked pasta with half of the tomato sauce. Spread half the pasta mixture into the baking dish. Spoon the ricotta mixture over it evenly. Add the remaining pasta and top with the rest of the sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
  6. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
  7. Let it rest for 10–15 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.

Notes

For a spicier flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. Add cooked ground beef or sausage for extra protein. Experiment with different cheese blends like provolone or fontina. Fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme enhance the aroma. Can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking. For frozen casseroles, bake 10–20 minutes longer than usual.