Description
Million Dollar Baked Ziti is a comforting, hearty Italian-American casserole featuring tender ziti pasta baked with flavorful Italian sausage, rich cheeses, and a robust spaghetti sauce. This layered casserole combines creamy cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream with mozzarella and eggs to create a luscious, cheesy texture that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb ziti pasta
Meat and Sauce
- 1¼ lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 2 (24-oz) jars spaghetti sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 1½ cups cottage cheese
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and dish: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside for later use.
- Cook the pasta: Boil the ziti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly, ensuring it doesn’t stick together.
- Cook the sausage and sauce: In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until fully browned and no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat carefully, then stir in the spaghetti sauce and heat through to combine flavors.
- Mix the cheese filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, cream cheese (at room temperature for smoothness), sour cream, eggs, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix thoroughly to create a creamy cheese mixture.
- Combine all components: Add the cooked pasta and meat sauce mixture to the cheese filling. Stir gently until all ingredients are well incorporated. Pour this combined mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Add the final cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the ziti mixture for a golden, bubbly finish.
- Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish uncovered into the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Bake until the casserole is bubbly throughout and the cheese topping is melted and golden brown.
- Rest and serve: Allow the baked ziti to rest for about 5 minutes after removing it from the oven to set slightly before serving. This enhances flavor melding and makes serving easier.
Notes
- You can substitute Italian sausage with ground beef, ground turkey, or a plant-based alternative to modify the flavor or meet dietary preferences.
- For a spicier dish, choose a spicy Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to ensure a smooth mixture without lumps.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead; just assemble and refrigerate, then bake when ready.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
