Description
This Easy Baked Ziti recipe combines savory Italian sausage, rich tomato sauce, and creamy cheeses layered with tender pasta and baked to perfection. It’s a comforting Italian-American classic that’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings, featuring layers of ziti pasta, ricotta cheese mix, and melted mozzarella with a flavorful sausage tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Sauce
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (sweet, mild, or hot)
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 oz tomato paste
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning blend
- ½ cup water
Pasta
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- ½ tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
Cheese Mixture
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 cup Italian cheese blend (or a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 handful chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the sausage and sauté onions: In a large skillet or pot over medium heat, brown the ground Italian sausage until it’s crispy on the edges. While the sausage cooks, finely dice the yellow onion. Once the sausage is browned, add the diced onion to the skillet and continue sautéing until the onions are soft and translucent.
- Prepare the tomato sauce: Add the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and ½ cup water to the skillet with the browned sausage and sautéed onions. Stir well to combine. Cover the skillet with a lid and bring the sauce to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally, while you prepare the pasta.
- Cook the ziti pasta: In a large pot, bring water to a boil with ½ tablespoon salt. Add the ziti and cook until tender, about 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander.
- Mix the cheeses: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Italian cheese blend, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir until well mixed. Preheat the oven to 350ºF during this step.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Return the drained ziti to the pot and add 1 cup of the red sauce. Stir to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Layer the baked ziti: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half of the sauced ziti. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture on top. Spoon half of the remaining red sauce with sausage over the ricotta. Repeat layering with the rest of the pasta, ricotta mixture, and sauce. Finish by topping evenly with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the casserole: Cover the baking dish with foil, tenting it slightly to prevent sticking to the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Broil for finishing touch: Remove the foil and turn the oven to broil. Broil for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is slightly browned and bubbly. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef or turkey for the sausage for a different flavor or leaner option.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten free.
- For a spicier dish, use hot Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes.
- Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.