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Ultimate Million Dollar Baked Ziti


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  • Author: mealstomake
  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Omnivore

Description

A comforting dish combining hearty pasta, savory meat, creamy ricotta, and gooey cheese, perfect for family and friends.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (Casings removed)
  • 1 unit onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • To taste: salt
  • To taste: pepper
  • 1 unit egg

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until it is al dente. Drain and set it aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks.
  4. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes.
  6. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until well combined.
  7. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the meat sauce, ensuring the pasta is well coated.
  8. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer half of the ziti mixture in the dish and spread the ricotta mixture over the top, then layer the remaining ziti mixture.
  9. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
  10. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  11. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  12. Allow the baked ziti to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Perfect for feeding a crowd, this dish is also easy to prepare and offers delicious leftovers.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg