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Cheesy Million Dollar Baked Ziti

Cheesy Million Dollar Baked Ziti

Get ready to elevate your weeknight dinners with this absolutely divine Cheesy Million Dollar Baked Ziti. This recipe is your secret weapon for a crowd-pleasing, wallet-friendly, and incredibly satisfying meal that tastes like a million bucks without breaking the bank.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage mild or hot, your preference
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt plus more for pasta water
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for a little heat
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large pot
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Medium Bowl

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little olive oil.
  2. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (firm to the bite). Drain the pasta and set aside.
    1 pound ziti pasta, 1/2 teaspoon salt
  3. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. If using, drain off any excess grease. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound ground Italian sausage, 1 medium onion, finely chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced
  4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything together, bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
    1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  5. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.
    1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, lightly beaten, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  6. Add the drained ziti pasta to the skillet with the meat sauce. Stir gently to coat the pasta evenly. Reserve about 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese for the topping, and stir the remaining 1 cup into the pasta and sauce mixture.
    1 pound ziti pasta, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  7. Spread half of the ziti and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture evenly over the first layer of ziti. Spread the remaining ziti and sauce mixture over the ricotta layer.
  8. Sprinkle the reserved 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. You can also add a little extra grated Parmesan cheese if you desire.
    2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  9. Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil (this prevents the cheese from browning too quickly). Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
  10. Let the Cheesy Million Dollar Baked Ziti rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly and makes it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
    Fresh parsley, chopped

Notes

The oven method is recommended for reheating leftovers to maintain the best texture.