Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why You’ll Love This Million Dollar Baked Ziti
- The Secret to a Rich and Creamy Baked Ziti
- Perfecting the Cheese Blend for Ultimate Flavor
- Meal Prep and Storage Tips
- Serving Suggestions and Pairings
- Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food—rich, cheesy, and bursting with flavor. This dish is perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or special occasions. With a blend of ricotta, cream cheese, and sour cream, it delivers a creamy texture like no other.
Introduction
If you’re looking for a comforting, cheesy, and absolutely irresistible dinner recipe, this Million Dollar Baked Ziti is for you. Here at Patricia Universe, we believe in making home-cooked meals that are both easy and delicious. This recipe is perfect for a cozy night in or when hosting friends and family. With layers of ziti, a rich meat sauce, and a decadent cheese mixture, this dish is pure comfort food bliss.
Why You’ll Love This Million Dollar Baked Ziti
- Rich and Creamy: The secret blend of ricotta, cream cheese, and sour cream makes this ziti incredibly smooth.
- Cheesy Perfection: Layers of mozzarella and Parmesan create the perfect cheesy crust.
- Family-Friendly: A dish that both kids and adults will love.
- Great for Meal Prep: This baked ziti stores and reheats beautifully.
The Secret to a Rich and Creamy Baked Ziti
The key to this dish is in the layers. Instead of just mixing everything together, we carefully layer the cooked pasta with a flavorful meat sauce and a creamy cheese mixture. This layering technique ensures every bite is filled with rich, delicious flavor. If you love dinner recipes that feel indulgent but are easy to make, this one’s for you.
Perfecting the Cheese Blend for Ultimate Flavor
Using a combination of ricotta, sour cream, and cream cheese gives this baked ziti its signature “million-dollar” texture. This cheese blend melts perfectly into the pasta, creating a luxurious, creamy bite every time. If you’re a fan of easy recipes that taste gourmet, this dish will quickly become a favorite in your home.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
One of the best parts about this Million Dollar Baked Ziti is how well it stores. If you love recipes for dinner that can be made ahead of time, you’ll appreciate this one. Simply prepare the dish, cover it tightly, and store it in the fridge for up to three days before baking. You can also freeze it for up to three months and bake it straight from frozen with a little extra time in the oven.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This baked ziti is a meal on its own, but if you want to create a full dining experience, consider pairing it with:
- A fresh green salad with a zesty vinaigrette
- Garlic bread for the perfect crunch
- A glass of red wine or a refreshing lemonade
Whether you’re serving this dish for a family dinner or bringing it to a gathering, it’s guaranteed to be a hit!
Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sautéing until soft.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, sour cream, and cream cheese until smooth.
- Combine cooked pasta with the sauce mixture and mix well.
- Layer half of the pasta mixture in the baking dish, spread the ricotta mixture over it, then top with the remaining pasta.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove from oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm.
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