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Million Dollar Baked Ziti Pasta Bake

Close-up of a hearty slice of baked ziti pasta bake with rich meat sauce and bubbly, browned cheese topping.
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A simple, cheesy, and creamy baked pasta casserole perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Stir the garlic powder, onion powder, and marinara sauce into the cooked beef. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the meat sauce, and the ricotta mixture. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
  7. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Top with the remaining pasta mixture.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top layer.
  9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly browned.
  10. Let the pasta bake rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For an extra rich flavor, use high-quality marinara sauce.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the ground beef.
  • If you prefer a less saucy bake, reduce the marinara sauce by 1/4 cup.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesfleet.com/pasta-bake-million-dollar-ziti-recipe/