Layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish Recipe

If you’re searching for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that screams weeknight luxury, Million Dollar Baked Ziti is your answer. This easy, ooey-gooey casserole transforms humble pantry staples into a bubbling, saucy masterpiece guaranteed to satisfy. The secret? You layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish, smother it with a creamy cheese blend, then finish with more ziti and that irresistible meat sauce. Every bite boasts ribbons of melted mozzarella, rich beef, and pops of fresh basil—a surefire hit whether you’re feeding family or impressing guests.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This dish absolutely shines because of its simple, hearty ingredients. Each one plays an essential role, bringing the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color to every steaming forkful.

• Ziti Pasta: Holds its shape beautifully and is perfect for soaking up all the cheesy, saucy goodness.
• Ground Beef: Adds richness and makes every bite satisfying and filling.
• Marinara Sauce: Brings a tangy, tomato-forward base that keeps the ziti moist and flavorful.
• Ricotta Cheese: Adds creaminess and a subtle, slightly sweet flavor to the cheese mixture.
• Sour Cream: Secret ingredient alert! This blends with ricotta for a luscious, indulgent filling.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Pulls everything together with that classic, melty cheese factor.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds nuttiness and a golden crust when baked.
• Garlic: Gives the dish depth and aromatic punch in every layer.
• Olive Oil: Used to sauté the garlic and beef, lending flavor right from the start.
• Salt and Pepper: Brings out all the best in the beef and sauce—season to taste!
• Fresh Basil (optional): The perfect bright, herby finish for serving, if you like a splash of color and freshness.

How to Make Layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan

Start by firing up your oven to 375°F (190°C). A little preheating goes a long way to ensuring everything bakes up bubbly and golden. Next, grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray. This prevents any sticking and helps you serve up perfect slices later.

Step 2: Boil the Ziti Pasta

Fill a large pot with water, salt it generously, and bring to a boil. Add your ziti pasta and cook until al dente—usually a minute or two less than the package indicates. You want a little bite left, since it’ll finish cooking in the oven. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 3: Sauté the Garlic and Brown the Beef

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Throw in the minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Then add your ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess fat to keep your ziti from getting greasy.

Step 4: Simmer with Marinara

Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the browned beef. Stir well and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Mix Up the Creamy Cheese Filling

Grab a bowl and combine the ricotta cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella. Make sure it’s well mixed—you’re aiming for a soft, creamy blend that’s easy to spread.

Step 6: Layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish

This is the heart of Million Dollar Baked Ziti. Layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish. Spoon the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the top, spreading it edge to edge. Next, top with the remaining ziti, followed by all of that hearty beef and marinara sauce. Finish by sprinkling on the rest of the mozzarella and a good shower of grated Parmesan for a gorgeous, melty crust.

Step 7: Bake Until Bubbling

Cover your baking dish with foil and pop it in the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the top is golden, bubbly, and absolutely irresistible. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving so those layers set up beautifully.

How to Serve Layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish

Garnishes

Fresh basil is a standout here, adding a vibrant note of color and a fragrant, peppery contrast to the rich pasta. Scatter whole leaves or chiffonade on top just before serving for a restaurant-style flourish.

Side Dishes

You can never go wrong with a crisp, green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette—perfect for balancing all that cheesiness. A side of warm, crusty garlic bread is practically mandatory for sopping up the extra sauce peeking out after you layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish and slice it up.

Creative Ways to Present

Try baking individual servings in oven-safe ramekins for dinner parties, or let guests top their own slices with extra Parmesan and red pepper flakes. If you really want to highlight that moment you layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish, consider using a clear glass casserole so admiring those luscious layers is part of the whole experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, leftovers keep wonderfully in the fridge for up to four days. Just transfer them into airtight containers—layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish and the rest will be perfectly moist, even on day three! The flavors deepen as everything sits, making those leftovers even more tempting the next day.

Freezing

Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a freezer star. Bake it fully, let cool, and store in freezer-safe containers or tightly wrapped right in the dish. If you want to prep ahead, layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish, finish assembly, and freeze unbaked—just bake straight from the freezer, adding a little extra time until hot throughout.

Reheating

To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through and bubbly again, about 20-30 minutes. Individual pieces can be microwaved, but for best results (and cheesiest texture), oven reheating is your friend.

FAQs

Can I substitute another pasta shape for ziti?

Absolutely! Penne, rigatoni, or even rotini work great if you don’t have ziti. Just be sure to cook them al dente so they hold up when you layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish.

Is it possible to use ground turkey or sausage instead of beef?

Definitely. This recipe is very forgiving; swap in Italian sausage for extra flavor or ground turkey for a leaner option. The key is a hearty meat sauce for those gorgeous layers.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes! Trade the ground beef for sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or a plant-based ground meat for a fully vegetarian Million Dollar Baked Ziti. The cheese and marinara will make it just as satisfying.

I’m short on time. Can I assemble the dish ahead?

Of course. You can assemble completely (layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish and finish as directed), then cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead. Bake straight from the fridge, adding 10-15 extra minutes to the baking time if needed.

What type of marinara sauce is best?

Use your favorite jarred marinara, or homemade if you have it on hand. Choose one that’s robust and well-seasoned for best results, since it’s the foundation of your meat sauce and soaks into every layer once you layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish.

Final Thoughts

This Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a showstopper—simple to prepare, yet impressive and utterly delicious. Don’t overthink it: layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish, let that cheesy, saucy magic happen, and watch your table light up with smiles. Go ahead, give it a try—weeknight dinners (and leftovers) just got a whole lot more exciting!

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