Oh, you’re gonna love this one! My million dollar baked ziti is the stuff of family dinner legends – that perfect combo of rich, gooey cheese and hearty pasta that makes everyone come back for seconds (and thirds!). I’ve been making this exact recipe for over a decade, ever since my Italian neighbor shared her “secret” version with me at a potluck. What makes it special? It’s ridiculously easy to throw together (perfect for busy weeknights), but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. That top layer of bubbling mozzarella? The way the ricotta makes every bite creamy? Absolute magic. Trust me, this is the baked ziti that’ll have your people begging you to make it again next week.
Why You’ll Love This Million Dollar Baked Ziti
This isn’t just any baked ziti – it’s the kind that makes people pause mid-bite to say “Wow!” Here’s why it’s special:
- Crazy cheesy goodness – Three types of cheese create that perfect stretchy, melty texture we all crave
- Foolproof to make – Even if you burn toast regularly, you can nail this recipe on the first try
- Feeds a crowd – One dish means happy bellies all around (plus killer leftovers!)
- Customizable – Toss in veggies, meat, or different cheeses to make it your own
Seriously – this dish has saved me on more “I forgot to plan dinner” nights than I can count, and it always gets rave reviews.
Ingredients for Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Here’s what you’ll need to create this cheesy masterpiece – and trust me, every ingredient plays a crucial role in making this baked ziti truly “million dollar” worthy:
- 1 pound ziti pasta – Uncooked (penne works too if that’s what you’ve got)
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce – Use your favorite brand, or go homemade if you’re feeling fancy
- 15 oz ricotta cheese – Full-fat for maximum creaminess (low-fat just won’t give you that luscious texture)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella – Divided (we’ll use half inside, half on top for that golden crust)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan – The real stuff, not the powdery kind in the green can
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder – Our flavor booster
- 1 teaspoon dried basil – Or fresh if you’ve got it
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – Adjust to your taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper – Freshly cracked if possible
That’s it! Simple ingredients that come together to create something truly magical. Now let’s get cooking!
How to Make Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Okay, let’s get down to business! Making this baked ziti is seriously easy – I’ve walked many friends through these steps over FaceTime, and they all nailed it. Here’s how to create cheesy perfection in your own kitchen:
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
First, get that pasta going! Bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil (it should taste like the sea). Add your ziti and cook for about 1 minute less than the package says – we want it al dente because it’ll keep cooking in the oven. Drain it well, but don’t rinse – we need that starch to help the sauce cling later.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
Now for the fun part – dump your drained pasta into a big mixing bowl. Add the marinara, ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella (save the rest!), Parmesan, and all those yummy seasonings. Mix it really well – I use a rubber spatula and make sure every single noodle gets coated in that cheesy, saucy goodness. The mixture should look evenly orange from the sauce with little white ricotta swirls throughout.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Pour your cheesy pasta into a greased 9×13 baking dish and smooth it out. Sprinkle that remaining mozzarella on top – be generous! Pop it in a 375°F oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden in spots. Here’s my trick – if the top isn’t browned enough after 30 minutes, broil it for just 1-2 minutes (watch closely!). Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving – this keeps it from being a molten lava mess when you dish it out.
Tips for the Best Million Dollar Baked Ziti
After making this baked ziti more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some tricks that take it from good to “Oh my god, what did you put in this?!” level amazing:
- Grate your own cheese – Pre-shredded has anti-caking agents that make it melt weird. Freshly grated mozzarella gives you that perfect stretch!
- Taste before baking – Give your mixture a quick taste and adjust seasoning. Sometimes I add extra garlic powder or a pinch of red pepper flakes for kick.
- Brown the top – If your cheese isn’t golden enough after baking, hit it with the broiler for just 60 seconds – but watch like a hawk!
- Meat lovers? Brown some Italian sausage or ground beef and mix it in for extra heartiness.
These little tweaks make all the difference between good baked ziti and million dollar baked ziti!
Variations of Million Dollar Baked Ziti
One of my favorite things about this recipe? How easily you can make it your own! Here are some delicious ways to switch it up:
- Gluten-free? Swap regular ziti for your favorite GF pasta – just adjust cooking time as needed.
- Veggie boost – Stir in sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted bell peppers for extra nutrition.
- Cheese swaps – Try fontina instead of mozzarella for extra creaminess, or add some smoked gouda for depth.
- Meat lovers – Browned Italian sausage or ground beef takes this from side to main dish hero.
The beauty is – it’s hard to mess this up! My neighbor adds pepperoni slices on top like a pizza bake, and it’s insanely good.
Serving Suggestions for Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Okay, let’s talk about the perfect partners for this cheesy masterpiece! My family always insists on garlic bread – crispy on the outside, buttery on the inside, perfect for soaking up any stray sauce. A simple green salad with tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness beautifully. And if you’re feeling fancy? A nice Chianti or Sangiovese makes it feel like a special occasion. Trust me – these pairings turn dinner into a celebration!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Here’s the great news – this baked ziti might taste even better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, my favorite method is the oven (350°F for about 15 minutes) to keep that cheese perfectly melty. In a pinch, the microwave works too – just cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. Pro tip: Sprinkle a little extra cheese on top before reheating for that fresh-baked feel!
Million Dollar Baked Ziti Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s be real – this is comfort food at its finest, not health food! But here’s the scoop on what you’re getting per serving (based on 6 generous portions): About 450 calories, 18g fat (10g saturated), 50g carbs (including 3g fiber), and a whopping 22g protein to keep you satisfied. The sodium’s around 800mg – but hey, it’s cheese and pasta, what did you expect? Remember, these numbers can change depending on your specific ingredients (like using low-fat cheeses or adding meat), so take it as a general guide rather than gospel.
Frequently Asked Questions
I get asked about this baked ziti recipe ALL the time – here are the questions that pop up most often (and my tried-and-true answers):
- Can I freeze baked ziti? Absolutely! Assemble it but don’t bake, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed (add 5-10 extra minutes if it’s still chilly).
- Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta? You bet – just blend it smooth first. The texture will be slightly different, but still delicious. My grandma actually prefers it this way!
- Why does my baked ziti come out dry? Two likely culprits: overcooked pasta (go al dente!) or not enough sauce. If your jar seems skimpy, add 1/4 cup pasta water to the mix.
- Can I make this ahead? Yes! Prep it up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Add 5-10 minutes to the bake time since it’ll be cold.
Still have questions? Drop them in the comments – I’m happy to help troubleshoot!
Final Thoughts
There you have it – my million dollar baked ziti that never fails to impress! I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and see your family’s faces light up when they take that first cheesy bite. Don’t forget to snap a photo of your masterpiece – I’d love to see how yours turns out! Drop me a comment below with your thoughts or any clever twists you added. Happy baking, friends – may your ziti always be cheesy and your oven never burn the garlic bread!
Print
Irresistible Million Dollar Baked Ziti in 30 Minutes
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich and cheesy baked ziti that’s sure to impress. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can add cooked ground beef or sausage for a meaty version.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For extra flavor, top with fresh basil before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: baked ziti, pasta, Italian, cheesy, easy dinner