If you’re looking for the ultimate crowd-pleaser that combines creamy layers, gooey cheese pulls, and rich, savory flavors, allow me to introduce you to Million Dollar Baked Ziti. This is the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table (and back for seconds) with its decadent blend of tender pasta, a luscious trio of cheeses, hearty meat sauce, and that gloriously golden, bubbling top. Whether you’re feeding a weeknight crew or planning a celebration, Million Dollar Baked Ziti never fails to shine — it’s pure, comforting joy baked into every bite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Million Dollar Baked Ziti is how simple, everyday ingredients come together to create magic. Every single ingredient plays a key role in layering texture, boosting flavor, and giving the casserole its signature cheesy stretch or savory bite. Here’s what you’ll need and why you’ll love each component:
- Ziti pasta: The classic tube-shaped noodle holds all the rich sauces and cheesy goodness in every forkful.
- Olive oil: Adds depth, helps brown the meat, and gives a subtle, fruity base note to the sauce.
- Ground beef or Italian sausage: A hearty, savory touch that makes the casserole satisfyingly meaty—use sausage for extra flavor, or a blend of both.
- Onion (diced): Brings sweetness and aromatic depth to the sauce as it softens and blends in.
- Garlic (minced): Adds bold, irresistible flavor that complements the tomato sauce perfectly.
- Marinara sauce: The velvety, tangy tomato base holding everything together—go for your favorite jarred brand or homemade.
- Italian seasoning: A classic blend of oregano, basil, and thyme to infuse comforting Italian aromas.
- Cream cheese (softened): The secret to the creamy layers—so decadent and luscious in every bite.
- Sour cream: Adds tangy creaminess, balancing out the richness of the cheeses and sauce.
- Ricotta cheese: Delivers that light, fluffy texture and mild flavor that defines old-school baked ziti.
- Mozzarella cheese (divided): For ultimate cheese pulls and a stretchy, golden top you can’t resist.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds nutty, salty bite and helps the top crisp to perfection.
- Salt and pepper: Enhances every ingredient, tying the whole dish together.
- Chopped parsley (optional): The finishing touch for color, freshness, and just the right pop of green.
How to Make Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Toss in your ziti pasta and cook it just until al dente, following the package instructions. Drain it well and set aside. The goal is perfectly cooked noodles that will soak up all the saucy, cheesy flavors as they bake—never mushy, always satisfying.
Step 2: Make the Savory Meat Sauce
Heat olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage (or a combo for extra flavor!), then toss in diced onion and minced garlic. Cook everything, breaking the meat apart, until browned and the onions are blissfully soft. Drain off any excess fat, and stir in your marinara sauce plus Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. This is where those cozy, nostalgic Italian aromas start to fill your kitchen!
Step 3: Mix the Creamy Cheese Layer
In a large mixing bowl, blend together softened cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta cheese, and 1 cup of the mozzarella. Stir until luscious and smooth. This blend is truly the “million dollar” secret to this baked ziti—making every forkful velvety, cheesy, and extra special.
Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce
Now, add your drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce, gently stirring to coat each noodle evenly. You want every bite to be loaded with both savory meat flavor and that rich, tangy tomato goodness.
Step 5: Layer the Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spoon in half the pasta and sauce mixture, spreading it evenly. Next, dollop and gently spread your creamy cheese mixture over this first pasta layer. Top it all off with the remaining pasta. For serious cheese lovers, sprinkle the final cups of mozzarella and all your Parmesan on top—it’ll melt to golden, bubbly perfection.
Step 6: Bake to Cheesy Perfection
Cover your dish loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes to melt everything together. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is gloriously golden and bubbling. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before diving in—this helps all those beautiful layers set up perfectly.
How to Serve Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Garnishes
The magic touch for Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a generous shower of fresh chopped parsley right before serving. Not only does it add a fresh, herbal pop of color, it also brightens up the creamy, rich flavors. A few extra grinds of black pepper or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can add subtle heat if you love a little kick.
Side Dishes
This ziti is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but pairing it with crisp Caesar salad or a simple green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette gives your plate balance and freshness. Garlic bread or warm focaccia are also irresistible for scooping up extra sauce and cheese—trust me, your guests won’t want to leave a crumb behind.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re looking to impress, present Million Dollar Baked Ziti straight from the oven in its bubbling casserole dish at the center of your table—family-style always wows! For gatherings, try baking individual portions in small ramekins. You can even scoop it into hollowed bread bowls or top with extra cheese and broil for a bubbly finish at the table. Every approach turns this classic into something totally celebration-worthy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Million Dollar Baked Ziti stores beautifully. Let leftovers cool to room temperature, then cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer portions to airtight containers. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days and enjoy whenever a comfort food craving hits.
Freezing
If you want to have a homemade casserole ready any night of the week, freeze the assembled (but unbaked) Million Dollar Baked Ziti tightly wrapped in foil for up to 2 months. You can also freeze individual baked portions for easy single servings. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
For oven reheating, cover the casserole with foil and warm at 350°F until hot and bubbly—about 20 to 30 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works great for single servings. Just cover and heat in short bursts, stirring every so often for even heating. A sprinkle of extra mozzarella on top before reheating is always a nice touch.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! While traditional ziti works beautifully, penne or rigatoni can easily be swapped in. Just aim for a similarly sturdy, tube-shaped pasta to hold up to all the cheese and sauce in Million Dollar Baked Ziti.
Is there a vegetarian option?
Definitely. Simply skip the ground meat, or use your favorite plant-based crumbles. Amp up the flavor by adding more sautéed veggies—like diced bell pepper, mushrooms, or zucchini—along with the onion and garlic for a hearty, vegetarian Million Dollar Baked Ziti.
Can I assemble Million Dollar Baked Ziti ahead of time?
Yes, it’s one of the best make-ahead meals! Just assemble the dish all the way to the final cheese topping, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before you’re ready to bake. Letting it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking helps everything cook evenly.
Can I swap out any of the cheeses?
There’s definitely room for customization. If you’re not a fan of ricotta, cottage cheese is a great alternative. You could also use provolone or an Italian cheese blend in place of mozzarella for a twist, but keep the cream cheese for that signature “million dollar” layer!
How do I know when Million Dollar Baked Ziti is done?
The top should be golden brown and bubbling, and the edges will start to pull slightly away from the dish. After removing the foil, a final 10-15 minutes of uncovered baking usually gives you that gorgeous finish and makes your kitchen smell absolutely amazing.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like gathering around the table for a bubbling, golden pan of Million Dollar Baked Ziti. Whether you’re feeding friends or just treating yourself, it’s a guaranteed way to bring big smiles and empty plates. I hope you love every cheesy, creamy forkful as much as my family does—give it a try and watch it become your new go-to comfort dish!
Print
Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Million Dollar Baked Ziti recipe. Creamy, cheesy, and satisfying, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish:
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the pasta: Cook the ziti according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In a skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Add marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer, season with salt and pepper.
- Make the cheese mixture: Combine cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, and 1 cup of mozzarella until smooth.
- Assemble: Add pasta to the sauce, then layer half in the baking dish. Spread cheese mixture, top with remaining pasta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Bake: Cover with foil, bake for 20 minutes. Uncover, bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until golden.
- Serve: Let rest before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can assemble this dish a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- For extra flavor, mix ground beef and Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
