Irresistible Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe That Wows Guests

When comfort meets culinary magic, this million dollar baked ziti emerges as a true crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone craving seconds.

Layers of perfectly cooked pasta, rich marinara sauce, and melted cheese create a symphony of flavors.

Weeknight dinners and special gatherings alike call for this irresistible dish that brings warmth to the table.

Packed with hearty ingredients and seasoned to perfection, each bite tells a delicious story of home-style cooking.

The combination of tender pasta, robust sauce, and gooey cheese makes this recipe a standout that transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for those moments when only pure, delectable comfort food will do.

Prepare to be the culinary hero who serves up pure, cheesy happiness.

FAQs

• What ingredients make this ziti extra creamy?

The combination of cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, and multiple cheeses creates an incredibly rich and smooth texture that sets this ziti apart from traditional recipes.

• Can I use different meats instead of sausage?

Ground beef or ground turkey work perfectly as substitutes and will still provide great flavor to the meat sauce. Just brown the meat completely before adding other ingredients.

• Is this recipe good for making ahead of time?

You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator. This makes it perfect for meal prep or entertaining.

Million Dollar Baked Ziti – Crowd Pleasing Qualities

• Indulge in a rich, cheesy pasta dish that wraps you in pure comfort food happiness, blending multiple cheese varieties for an irresistibly smooth texture.
• Minimal prep work and straightforward steps make this ziti a go-to meal for busy families, delivering restaurant-quality flavor without complicated techniques.
• Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and casual dinner parties, this dish satisfies everyone from kids to adults with its hearty and universally loved ingredients.
• Swap sausage for ground beef, add vegetables, or adjust cheese types to match your family's taste preferences and dietary needs.

Million Dollar Baked Ziti – What You’ll Need

• Ground Sausage: Provides rich, savory flavor and meaty texture to the baked ziti.
• Onion: Adds depth and aromatic base to the meat sauce.
• Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• Ziti Pasta: Classic Italian pasta shape that holds sauce perfectly.
• Marinara Sauce: Adds bright, tangy tomato flavor to the dish.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a smooth and creamy base for the cheese mixture.
• Eggs: Helps bind the cheese mixture together.
• Ricotta Cheese: Adds rich, creamy texture to the dish.
• Sour Cream: Contributes tangy flavor and additional creaminess.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides melty, stretchy texture and classic cheese flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty notes to the cheese mixture.
• Salt, Pepper: Seasons the cheese mixture and enhances overall taste.

Tools for Million Dollar Baked Ziti Night

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking pasta perfectly al dente.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking.
• 9×13 Baking Dish: Crucial for assembling and baking the ziti.
• Skillet: Perfect for browning sausage and cooking meat sauce.
• Mixing Bowls: Used for preparing cheese mixture and combining ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring meat sauce and mixing ingredients.
• Whisk or Electric Mixer: Helps blend cream cheese and mix cheese ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Aluminum Foil: Used to cover dish during initial baking.

Putting Together Million Dollar Baked Ziti

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 375°F.

Grab your 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a generous coating of cooking spray or butter.

Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti pasta, pulling it out just shy of al dente – about 2 minutes less than the package suggests.

Step 2: Craft the Meaty Sauce

In a large skillet, brown the Italian sausage with diced onions, breaking the meat into delicious crumbly pieces.

Toss in minced garlic and let it sizzle for a moment.

Pour in the marinara sauce and let everything simmer and mingle for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to get cozy.

Step 3: Whip Up the Cheese Blend

In a spacious mixing bowl, start by softening the cream cheese until smooth.

Crack in the eggs and blend thoroughly.

• Ricotta cheese
• Sour cream
• Half of the shredded mozzarella
• Grated Parmesan
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir until everything is perfectly combined and creamy.

Step 4: Layer the Deliciousness

Mix one cup of the meat sauce into the cheese mixture.

Gently fold in the partially cooked pasta.

Transfer this heavenly mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Drizzle the remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with greased aluminum foil and slide into the preheated oven.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

Let the ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving – this helps it set and makes cutting easier.

Million Dollar Baked Ziti – Expert Tips

• Cook ziti 2 minutes less than package instructions to prevent mushy texture when baking.
• Let cream cheese soften at room temperature for smoother mixing with other ingredients.
• Allow meat sauce to reduce and concentrate flavors during 10-minute simmer for deeper taste.
• Assemble casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve.
• Let dish rest 10 minutes after baking to help cheese set and make cutting easier.

Million Dollar Baked Ziti – Fun Twists

• Vegetarian Ziti: Replace sausage with plant-based crumbles or roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers. Use vegetable marinara for extra flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free penne or ziti made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Use reduced-fat cheeses and lean ground turkey instead of sausage.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Add chopped spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and swap some mozzarella with crumbled feta cheese. Include fresh oregano and basil for authentic Mediterranean taste.

Best Ways to Serve Million Dollar Baked Ziti

• Crowd-Pleasing Dinner Party Delight: Serve this ziti alongside a crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette for a balanced meal that wows guests.
• Family-Style Comfort Feast: Create a cozy family dinner by pairing the ziti with warm garlic bread and roasted seasonal vegetables for a hearty spread.
• Weekend Potluck Star: Bring this dish to gatherings as a crowd-favorite main course that feeds a large group and travels well in a covered casserole dish.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Complement the rich, meaty ziti with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to enhance the robust flavors.

Million Dollar Baked Ziti – Storing

• Store leftover ziti in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. Place in freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn.
• Place individual portion on microwave-safe plate. Cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Add splash of water or extra marinara to prevent drying. Cover with foil, warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for last 5 minutes to crisp top.

Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Million dollar baked ziti brings comfort and nostalgia to pasta lovers everywhere. Creamy cheese, hearty marinara, and perfectly cooked pasta create a memorable Italian-American classic you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein Base:

• 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef
• 2 large eggs
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 cups (divided) mozzarella cheese, shredded

Pasta and Vegetables:

• 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce

Seasonings and Other Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 375°F and lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cook pasta slightly undercooked, about 2 minutes less than package instructions for al dente texture.
3. In a large skillet, brown sausage with diced onions until meat is fully cooked and onions are translucent.
4. Add minced garlic to the meat mixture and pour in marinara sauce, allowing it to simmer and develop flavors for 10 minutes.
5. In a separate mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
6. Incorporate eggs into the cream cheese, then gently fold in ricotta, sour cream, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
7. Mix 1 cup of prepared meat sauce into the cheese mixture to create a rich, uniform blend.
8. Fold cooked pasta into the cheese and sauce mixture, ensuring even coating.
9. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
10. Top the pasta with remaining meat sauce and sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese.
11. Cover the dish with greased aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
12. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until cheese is golden and sauce is bubbling.
13. Allow the ziti to rest for 10 minutes before serving to set and enhance flavors.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection Cook ziti slightly under al dente to prevent mushy texture when baking, ensuring perfect pasta consistency.
• Cheese Blend Tip Soften cream cheese at room temperature for smoother mixing and more even distribution throughout the dish.
• Sausage Selection Use spicy Italian sausage for extra flavor kick or swap with ground turkey for a leaner protein option.
• Make-Ahead Magic Assemble casserole up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and bake directly from cold for convenient meal prep.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 580
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 52g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 120mg