Million Dollar Baked Ziti

Million Dollar Baked Ziti

Cheesy, beefy baked ziti with layers of mozzarella, parmesan, and creamy sauces—hearty comfort in every bite.

Preparation Time

20 min

Cooking Time

30 min

Overall Time

50 min

Created By: Lili Clark

Category: Dinner

Skill Level: Moderate

Cuisine Type: Italian-American

Output: 8 Serves

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients

24 ounces spaghetti sauce

15 ounces alfredo sauce

0.5 yellow onion, diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1.5 pounds ground beef

12 ounces penne pasta, cooked and drained

0.5 block cream cheese, softened

0.5 cup sour cream

2 cups parmesan cheese, shredded

2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

0.25 teaspoon salt

0.25 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Steps

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add diced onion, minced garlic, and ground beef. Cook until no pink is visible in the meat. Drain the grease and return the meat back to the skillet. Add onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then combine with the meat.

Add the spaghetti sauce, alfredo sauce, and drained pasta to the skillet. Stir until well combined and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, add cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Use a hand mixer to combine.

In a 9×13 baking dish, add a layer of the pasta mixture to the bottom of the dish (about half the amount of pasta), then add the cream cheese mixture on top and spread it out evenly. Add the remaining pasta as the final layer.

Top with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of parmesan cheese. Bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is melted. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips

Allowing the baked ziti to rest for 10 minutes ensures proper consistency for serving.

Required Tools

Large skillet
Large mixing bowl
Hand mixer
9×13 baking dish

Allergy Information

Always check each ingredient for allergens, and consult a medical professional if unsure.

Dairy
Gluten

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are shared for general guidance and don’t replace professional advice.

Lili Clark

Hi! I’m LiLi, a former kitchen disaster who learned to cook by documenting my grandmother’s recipes. I believe cooking should be accessible, sometimes messy, and always delicious. Join me as I share everything from family classics to weeknight emergencies!

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