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Million Dollar Baked Ziti

Million Dollar Baked Ziti: Your New Favorite Comfort Meal

Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a creamy, cheesy delight that's perfect for any occasion, easily adaptable for gluten-free needs.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta and Sauce
  • 1 pound Ziti Pasta or gluten-free pasta
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil for sautéing
  • 1 medium Onion diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 pound Ground Beef or Sausage or turkey/vegetarian
  • 24 ounces Marinara Sauce homemade or store-bought
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning or individual herbs
For the Creamy Mixture
  • 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese or smooth cottage cheese
  • 1 large Egg optional
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese or nutritional yeast
For the Topping
  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese or provolone
  • to taste Salt & Pepper for seasoning
  • to taste Fresh Basil or Parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • large skillet
  • 9x13 baking dish
  • medium bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Boil the ziti in salted water for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and toss with olive oil.
  2. Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes until translucent.
  3. Cook ground beef or sausage in the skillet until browned, then add marinara sauce and Italian seasoning; simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth.
  5. Layer ziti, half ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and meat sauce in a greased baking dish, repeating until finished.
  6. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan, cover with foil, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
  7. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  8. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving; garnish with basil or parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 30gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This dish pairs beautifully with garlic bread and salad for a complete meal.

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