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Creamy Million Dollar Baked Ziti Casserole

Creamy Million Dollar Baked Ziti Casserole - featured image
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A rich and comforting baked ziti casserole featuring a creamy blend of ricotta and cream cheese with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. Perfect for quick, easy family dinners and crowd-pleasing occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 cup (240g) ricotta cheese, preferably whole milk
  • 4 ounces (115g) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups (720ml) marinara sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound (450g) of ziti pasta and cook until just al dente (about 9-10 minutes). Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not brown. Stir in 3 cups (720ml) marinara sauce, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and optional ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup (240g) ricotta cheese, 4 ounces (115g) softened cream cheese, 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella (reserve 1 cup for topping), and ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan. Mix until smooth and creamy. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. In a large bowl, gently fold the cooked pasta into the marinara sauce until well coated.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread half of the sauced pasta in the bottom of your 9×13-inch baking dish. Dollop half of the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the pasta. Repeat with remaining pasta and cheese, smoothing the top layer. Sprinkle reserved 1 cup (100g) mozzarella evenly over the top.
  6. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
  7. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh chopped basil or parsley for garnish.

Notes

If mozzarella browns too quickly, tent with foil partway through baking. Resting the casserole for 10 minutes before serving helps it set and makes slicing easier. You can prepare the casserole a day ahead and refrigerate before baking; add a few extra minutes to baking time if baking cold. For extra cheesy crust, sprinkle Parmesan or breadcrumbs on top before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, creamy baked pasta, casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella, marinara sauce

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/creamy-million-dollar-baked-ziti-casserole-recipe-easy-and-delicious-dinner-idea/