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Million Dollar Baked Ziti

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A decadent baked ziti featuring layers of al dente pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheeses, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces ziti pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese (whole milk)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Boil the ziti pasta in a generous pot of salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Sauté the ground beef or Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat, then add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
  3. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for about 5 minutes.
  4. Combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, and half of the grated Parmesan in a bowl. Mix until creamy.
  5. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread a layer of meat sauce in a baking dish. Layer half of the ziti, then the cheesy mixture, followed by another layer of meat sauce and the remaining ziti.
  6. Top with remaining meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
  7. Bake covered with foil for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  8. Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Can be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking. Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version, or add vegetables for extra nutrition.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://lunarecipez.com/million-dollar-baked-ziti-comfort-food-favorite/

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