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Indulge in Cheesy Million Dollar Baked Ziti

Cheesy Million Dollar Baked Ziti made approachable with clear cues, pantry staples, and flexible swaps.
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Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
  3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until the meat is browned and the onions are soft.
  4. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
  6. Add the cooked ziti pasta to the meat sauce mixture and stir to combine.
  7. Spread half of the pasta mixture in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
  8. Spread the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta layer, then top with remaining pasta.
  9. Sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
  10. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  11. Let the baked ziti cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.