Description
Ultimate Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a rich and comforting Italian-American casserole featuring perfectly cooked ziti pasta combined with a savory meat sauce made from ground beef and Italian sausage. Blended with a trio of cheeses including Ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan, this baked dish is layered with aromatic herbs and baked to golden, bubbly perfection. It’s the perfect hearty meal to satisfy family and guests.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
For the Cheese Mixture
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the ziti later.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until fully cooked. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil. Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer gently for about 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat sauce, Parmesan cheese, Ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, provolone cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the combined mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture during baking.
- Bake: Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This resting time helps the casserole set for easier serving. Enjoy your Ultimate Million Dollar Baked Ziti!
Notes
- For best results, use freshly grated cheeses instead of pre-shredded for optimal melt and flavor.
- You can substitute Italian sausage with spicy sausage for a kick of heat.
- Fresh basil can be used instead of dried herbs for a fresher flavor if available.
- To make ahead, assemble the casserole in the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight before baking.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
