Million dollar baked ziti

Million dollar baked ziti

By Ryan Ma
20’ Prep time
45’ Cook time
65’ Total time
713 Calories
8 Serving

Summary

This million dollar baked ziti is the ultimate comfort dish—layered with creamy alfredo, rich marinara meat sauce, and loads of melted cheese. it's hearty, cheesy, and perfect for family dinners or meal prep. a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone craving seconds! follow ronica on instagram for more recipes.
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Video

Step by Step

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Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the ziti in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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Step 2

In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic for 2 minutes. Add the ground turkey and seasonings, and cook until the meat is browned, about 8-10 minutes
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Step 3

Add marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes to the browned turkey. Simmer for 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and begins to bubble gently. Set aside.
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Step 4

In a separate large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the heavy cream, cream cheese, cottage cheese, salt, garlic powder, and nutmeg. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and the cream cheese and cottage cheese have fully melted, about 5 minutes.
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Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the Parmesan cheese, stirring until it’s completely melted and the sauce is thick and creamy, about 3 more minutes.
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Step 6

Toss the cooked ziti with alfredo sauce and ⅓ of the meat sauce. Taste and add more salt if needed.
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Step 7

In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, layer meat sauce, pasta, and shredded cheese. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 2 thick, even layers, ensuring each layer is fully covered with sauce and cheese.
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Step 8

Top with freshly shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and Monterey Jack cheeses, then sprinkle with Italian seasoning for extra flavor.
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Step 9

Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbling. Broil for the last 2-3 minutes to get a crispy, golden top.
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Step 10

Let it cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh basil and parsley.
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Step 11

Enjoy!

Ingredient

  • Garlic cloves
    Garlic cloves
    6
  • Salt
    Salt
    1
  • Ground turkey
    Ground turkey
    2 lb
  • Smoked paprika
    Smoked paprika
    2 teaspoons
  • Cream cheese
    Cream cheese
    2 oz
  • Chili powder
    Chili powder
    2 teaspoons
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese
    Freshly grated parmesan cheese
    1 cup
  • Unsalted butter
    Unsalted butter
    4 tablespoons
  • Heavy whipping cream
    Heavy whipping cream
    15 cups
  • Garlic powder
    Garlic powder
    2 teaspoons
  • Italian seasoning
    Italian seasoning
    3 teaspoons
  • Black pepper
    Black pepper
    1 teaspoon
  • Cottage cheese
    Cottage cheese
    0.25 cup
  • Kosher salt
    Kosher salt
    1 teaspoon
  • Olive oil
    Olive oil
    3 tablespoons
  • Italian seasoning
    Italian seasoning
    1 teaspoon
  • Garlic powder
    Garlic powder
    1 teaspoon
  • No-salt seasoning blend
    No-salt seasoning blend
    1 teaspoon
  • All-purpose seasoning
    All-purpose seasoning
    1 teaspoon
  • Red bell peppers
    Red bell peppers
    2
  • Mozzarella cheese
    Mozzarella cheese
    2 cups
  • Marinara sauce
    Marinara sauce
    1 24-ounce jar
  • Crushed tomatoes
    Crushed tomatoes
    1 28-ounce can
  • Ziti pasta
    Ziti pasta
    12 oz
  • Monterey jack cheese
    Monterey jack cheese
    0.5 cup
  • Parmesan cheese
    Parmesan cheese
    0.5 cup
  • Nutmeg
    Nutmeg
    0.5 teaspoon
  • Medium yellow onion
    Medium yellow onion
    1

Nutrition Facts

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