Description

This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a comforting and delicious dish featuring tender ziti pasta, rich meat sauce, and layers of gooey, melted cheese. It's perfect for busy weeknights and can be made ahead of time, making it a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ziti pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1.5 pounds lean ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 cup beef broth
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
4 ounces shredded provolone cheese

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add ziti pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat
Add chopped onion to the pot and sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute
Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 20-30 minutes
In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, parsley, Parmesan, and half of the mozzarella. Mix until combined
Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and layer the ingredients: meat sauce, half ziti, ricotta mixture, remaining meat sauce, half remaining mozzarella, remaining ziti, remaining meat sauce, and top with mozzarella and Parmesa
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly
Let rest for 10-15 minutes before serving

Notes

This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 620 kcal
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 1180mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Unsaturated Fat: N/A
Trans Fat: N/A
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 110mg