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Ultimate Million Dollar Baked Ziti

Ultimate Million Dollar Baked Ziti

This Ultimate Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a crowd-pleasing dish bursting with rich flavors, creamy cheese, and hearty pasta. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this baked pasta dish is indulgently cheesy and will surely impress your guests with its restaurant-quality taste.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 People
Calories 550 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large pot
  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 9x13 inch baking dish
  • 1 mixing bowl
  • 1 oven

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 30 ounces tomato sauce 2 cans of 15 ounces each
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • optional fresh basil for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the ziti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
  • Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended.
  • In the baking dish, start layering: spread half of the meat sauce on the bottom, then half of the cooked ziti, dollops of the ricotta mixture, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers.
  • Finish with the remaining meat sauce and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  • Allow the baked ziti to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve.

Notes

You can add vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat sauce if desired.
For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and sausage.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheated.