Print

Comforting Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage

baked ziti with italian sausage - featured image
Print Recipe

A simple, satisfying baked ziti recipe featuring Italian sausage and a blend of melty cheeses, perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces ziti pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme blend)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of ziti and cook for 9-11 minutes until just al dente. Drain in a colander and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving some rendered fat in the pan.
  3. In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried Italian herbs, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked ziti, sausage, and about 3/4 of the tomato sauce. Add ricotta cheese and 1 cup shredded mozzarella. Stir gently to combine, ensuring every noodle is coated and cheesy. Reserve remaining sauce and mozzarella for the top layer.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread half of the sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour in the pasta mixture, spreading evenly. Top with remaining sauce and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta as it will bake further in the oven. Brown sausage well for deeper flavor. Use a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan for best cheese texture and flavor. Simmer sauce to thicken and concentrate flavors. Let baked ziti rest 5-10 minutes before serving to set. Tent with foil if top browns too quickly.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, comfort food, pasta casserole, cheesy baked pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/comforting-baked-ziti-with-italian-sausage-easy-5-step-recipe/