Million Dollar Baked Ziti (Print-Friendly Version)

Tender ziti, creamy cheeses, and savory beef make this irresistible comfort food with golden, bubbly layers.

# Ingredients You’ll Need:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 pound ziti pasta
02 - 1 pound ground beef
03 - 24 ounces marinara sauce

→ Cheese Blend

04 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
05 - 1 cup sour cream
06 - 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
07 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Seasonings

08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
10 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow to fully preheat.
02 - Boil ziti in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Sauté ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until thoroughly browned. Drain excess fat.
04 - Incorporate marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into the skillet. Simmer for 5 minutes.
05 - In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Mix until smooth and uniform.
06 - Place half the cooked ziti into a 9x13-inch baking dish in an even layer.
07 - Spread the entire cheese mixture evenly over the bottom layer of pasta.
08 - Layer the remaining ziti over the cheese blend.
09 - Distribute the meat sauce evenly across the pasta layers.
10 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
11 - Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
12 - Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the surface is bubbling and golden brown.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - For a creamier texture, ensure that the cream cheese is fully softened before blending with the other dairy ingredients.

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