Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 50 mins | Serves: 6
This Baked Ziti is a certified crowd-pleasing pasta bake. And this million-dollar version makes it even more special! Rich, creamy, with a slight tang. Indulge yourself with this easy and quick million-dollar version of your favorite baked Ziti right in the comfort of your home!
INGREDIENTS
2 eggs
1 pound mild Italian sausage
1 pound ziti
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp dried oregano
1 (28 ounces) can of tomato sauce
1 tsp granulated sugar
1 (14.5 ounces) can of diced tomatoes
1/2 c. fresh basil, chopped
16 ounces cottage cheese
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. sour cream
1 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated and divided
2 c. mozzarella cheese, chopped into 1/4” cubes and divided
1 tsp dried basil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh basil, chopped, for serving
How to make Million Dollar Baked Ziti
Step 1: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 375 degrees F. Using a nonstick spray, grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the pasta in a large pot with salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain when done and drizzle the pasta with a bit of olive oil. Set aside.
Step 3: Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until browned. If needed, drain the grease. Then, add the garlic and continue to cook for a minute more until aromatic. Next, add the oregano and basil. To taste, season with salt and pepper.
Step 4: To the sausage mixture, stir in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Adjust the heat to medium and continue to cook until the mixture has bubbles. Then, adjust the heat again to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes. Take the skillet off the heat and whisk in the sugar and fresh basil. Set aside.
Step 5: Place the cream cheese in a large bowl. Beat well until smooth. Then, add the eggs, cottage cheese, and sour cream. Mix well until blended. Add 1 cup each Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Stir well.
Step 6: To the cottage cheese mixture, add 1 c of the red sauce followed by the drained pasta. Mix well and pour everything into the prepared baking dish. On top, place the rest of the red sauce and sprinkle with 1 c. mozzarella and half c. Parmesan.
Step 7: Using a nonstick spray, grease a sheet of aluminium foil and tent the casserole with it. Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes. Remove the cover and continue baking for additional 25 minutes. To brown the cheese further, broil for about a minute or two.
Step 8: Remove from the oven when done and allow the baked Ziti to sit for about 10 minutes. Serve garnished with some chopped basil. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage
- 1 pound ziti
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 (28 ounces) can of tomato sauce
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can of diced tomatoes
- 1/2 c. fresh basil, chopped
- 16 ounces cottage cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 c. sour cream
- 1 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated and divided
- 2 c. mozzarella cheese, chopped into 1/4” cubes and divided
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped, for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 375 degrees F. Using a nonstick spray, grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the pasta in a large pot with salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain when done and drizzle the pasta with a bit of olive oil. Set aside.
Step 3: Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until browned. If needed, drain the grease. Then, add the garlic and continue to cook for a minute more until aromatic. Next, add the oregano and basil. To taste, season with salt and pepper.
Step 4: To the sausage mixture, stir in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Adjust the heat to medium and continue to cook until the mixture has bubbles. Then, adjust the heat again to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes. Take the skillet off the heat and whisk in the sugar and fresh basil. Set aside.
Step 5: Place the cream cheese in a large bowl. Beat well until smooth. Then, add the eggs, cottage cheese, and sour cream. Mix well until blended. Add 1 cup each Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Stir well.
Step 6: To the cottage cheese mixture, add 1 c of the red sauce followed by the drained pasta. Mix well and pour everything into the prepared baking dish. On top, place the rest of the red sauce and sprinkle with 1 c. mozzarella and half c. Parmesan.
Step 7: Using a nonstick spray, grease a sheet of aluminium foil and tent the casserole with it. Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes. Remove the cover and continue baking for additional 25 minutes. To brown the cheese further, broil for about a minute or two.
Step 8: Remove from the oven when done and allow the baked Ziti to sit for about 10 minutes. Serve garnished with some chopped basil. Enjoy!
