Dinner

Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe

ByHugo Harnd April 13, 2026April 13, 2026

Introduction

Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a comforting, cheesy pasta casserole that’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings. With layers of ziti, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheese, this dish offers crowd-pleasing flavors in every bite.

The dish is a baked pasta casserole in a white square ceramic dish with handles. It has many layers visible from the top. The bottom layer is a rich, chunky ground meat sauce with bits of browned meat and a reddish-brown tomato base. Above that, tube-shaped pasta is arranged closely together, coated in the sauce. The top layer is a generous covering of melted cheese, golden and bubbly with some brown spots. Small green herb pieces are sprinkled over the cheese for color. The background shows a white marbled surface and a blurred white plate stacked with some food in the far corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound ziti pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
Step 2: Boil the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
Step 3: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 4: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Step 5: Stir in the marinara sauce, then simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix thoroughly.
Step 7: Spread half of the cooked pasta in the prepared baking dish. Layer the cheese mixture evenly over the pasta.
Step 8: Add the remaining pasta on top, then pour the meat sauce over it.
Step 9: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Step 10: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 11: Garnish with fresh basil if desired, and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce during cooking.
Substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the beef to change up the protein.
Mix chopped spinach or mushrooms into the cheese mixture for added veggies.
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a more pronounced nutty taste.

Storage

Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions until hot.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of baked pasta arranged in one thick layer. The bottom layer has cooked pasta tubes mixed with a chunky red meat sauce. Above this, there is a thick layer of melted creamy white cheese, browned in spots from baking, and sprinkled with small green herb pieces. The whole dish is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Million Dollar Baked Ziti ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the dish a day before baking. Cover it tightly and refrigerate, then bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed for thorough heating.

What can I use instead of ziti pasta?

Penne, rigatoni, or other tube-shaped pasta work well as substitutes because they hold sauce nicely and bake evenly.

Hugo Harnd