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Delicious Million Dollar Baked Ziti with cheese and pasta in a casserole dish.

Million Dollar Baked Ziti

This rich, cheesy casserole layers ricotta, marinara, seasoned meat, and two kinds of melting cheese for a comforting dish that reheats beautifully, perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Casserole, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 ounces ziti pasta (penne or rigatoni work in a pinch) Gluten-free option available: use GF pasta.
  • 3 cups well-seasoned marinara sauce Store-bought or homemade.
Meat and Aromatics
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage Use plant-based crumble for vegetarian.
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Cheese Mixture
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese (preferably whole milk) Part-skim can be used for a lower fat option.
  • 1 large egg Use pasteurized if concerned about raw eggs.
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided Use Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided Consider a mix with provolone for smokiness.
Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch or similar baking dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add ziti and cook until just al dente, about 7–8 minutes. Drain and set aside—don’t rinse.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Sauté onion until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add garlic; cook for 30 seconds.
  4. Add ground beef or sausage to the skillet and cook until browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer gently for 3–5 minutes to marry flavors.
  6. In a medium bowl, whisk ricotta, egg, half the Parmesan (1/2 cup), 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until smooth.
Assembly
  1. Spoon a thin layer of sauce into the bottom of the prepared dish. Add half the cooked ziti in an even layer.
  2. Dollop and spread half the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella.
  3. Pour half the remaining marinara over the top. Repeat with the remaining ziti, ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, and sauce.
  4. Finish by sprinkling the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan and any leftover mozzarella on top.
Baking
  1. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  2. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 more minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  3. If you prefer more browning, broil for 1–2 minutes — watching closely.
  4. Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

This recipe is versatile; you can make it vegetarian by skipping the meat and adding vegetables like mushrooms or spinach. For extra-crispy tops, sprinkle panko mixed with olive oil and Parmesan before the final bake.