Million Dollar Baked Ziti

Ingredients

• For the meat sauce
• 1 lb Italian sausage or ground beef
• 1 sweet onion (diced)
• ½ green bell pepper (diced)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 jar of your favorite marinara sauce
• For the pasta
• 1 lb ziti noodles
• For the Parmesan cream sauce
• 6 tbsp butter
• 1½ cups heavy cream
• 5 oz Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper (to taste)
• For layering
• 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti until just al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. While the pasta cooks, add the Italian sausage, diced onion, and green bell pepper to a large skillet. Cook over medium heat, breaking up the sausage as it browns, until the sausage is cooked through and the vegetables have softened. Drain any excess grease if needed.
4. Season the sausage mixture with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Pour in the marinara sauce, stir everything together, and let it simmer over low heat while you make the alfredo sauce.
5. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until warmed through. Add the Parmesan and ½ cup mozzarella, stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
6. Add the cooked ziti to the Parmesan cream sauce and toss until evenly coated.
7. Spread the ziti mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spoon the meat sauce over the pasta, then sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
8. Bake uncovered at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly and the cheese is completely melted. For a golden, bubbly top, broil for the last 1-2 minutes.
9. Let the baked ziti rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. Top with extra Parmesan or fresh parsley, if desired.