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Creamy Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe with Crispy Golden Topping Easy and Perfect

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A creamy, cheesy baked ziti with a crispy golden topping that is quick and easy to prepare, perfect for family dinners and crowd-pleasing occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta — regular or whole wheat
  • Salted water for boiling
  • 1 cup (240g) ricotta cheese — whole milk ricotta recommended
  • 1 cup (240g) small-curd cottage cheese
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 3 cups (720ml) marinara sauce — homemade or jarred
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup (50g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or olive oil.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta and cook until al dente, about 9-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in marinara sauce, dried basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 7-8 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, cottage cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy. Add a tablespoon of milk if too thick.
  6. In a large bowl, mix drained ziti with the sauce and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Fold in the cheese mixture gently.
  7. Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish and spread evenly.
  8. In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter until well coated.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the ziti, then cover with the breadcrumb mixture.
  10. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping is crisp and golden and edges are bubbling. Watch after 20 minutes to prevent over-browning.
  11. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; al dente is best. Use a blend of ricotta and cottage cheese for creaminess and tang. Butter in the topping ensures a golden, crispy crust. If topping browns too quickly, tent with foil. For ultra-crispy topping, broil for last 2 minutes but watch carefully. Make ahead by assembling and refrigerating without topping; add topping before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, creamy baked ziti, cheesy pasta bake, easy dinner, comfort food, crispy topping, ricotta, cottage cheese, family meal

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/creamy-million-dollar-baked-ziti-recipe-with-crispy-golden-topping-easy-and-perfect/