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Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Emily

Million Dollar Baked Ziti

Creamy, cheesy, and rich like a million bucks—this baked ziti layers ricotta, sour cream, ground beef, and marinara sauce for the ultimate comfort food dinner.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 570
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ziti pasta
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • pasta pot
  • Colander
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
  2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer briefly.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, sour cream, egg, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until smooth.
  4. In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the pasta, then half the cheese mixture, followed by half the beef sauce. Repeat layers and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  5. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Make ahead by assembling the casserole, covering tightly, and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking. For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey. Add spinach or zucchini for extra veggies. Pairs perfectly with garlic bread and salad.