Delicious Million Dollar Baked Ziti

Hello, my dear friends, and welcome back to my kitchen table. There’s something truly magical about a pasta bake that brings everyone running when it comes out of the oven, its cheesy top bubbling and golden.

This Delicious Million Dollar Baked Ziti is that kind of dish. It’s the one I make for potlucks and family gatherings, and I’m always asked, ‘What’s the secret to that million dollar sauce?’ and ‘How do you keep it from getting runny?’ Let me share my story with you.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Estimated Prep & Cook Time for Delicious Million Dollar Baked Ziti

This easy baked ziti recipe is a true labor of love that comes together in a flash.

Prep time is about 20 minutes, with an additional 30 minutes for baking. You’ll want to let it rest for 10 minutes before serving, making the total time just about an hour.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. This simple step ensures your best baked ziti won’t stick.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. Cooking to al dente is key for the perfect pasta bake texture.

Step 3: Brown the Beef

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onion, cooking until the beef is browned. Add garlic and cook for one more minute. Drain any excess grease.

Step 4: Simmer the Sauce

Stir the marinara sauce into the beef mixture. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. This is where the magic starts!

Step 5: Make the Creamy Layer

In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, egg, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix until smooth. This is the heart of our creamy baked ziti.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Cheese

Add the cooked pasta to the cream cheese mixture, stirring to coat evenly. Every single tube of ziti gets enveloped in cheesy goodness.

Step 7: Layer It Up

Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce and one cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Sprinkle the top with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Pro Tips & Tasty Tweaks

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to make this Delicious Million Dollar Baked Ziti truly sing. Here are my favorites.