Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
A comforting and flavorful baked ziti featuring spicy Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or cozy weekends.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed (spicy or sweet)
- 1 pound ziti pasta, cooked al dente (penne or rigatoni can be substituted)
- 4 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- A handful fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound of ziti pasta and cook until just al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and drain excess fat if needed.
- In the same skillet, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add 4 cups marinara sauce to the skillet with onions and garlic. Stir in the browned sausage and simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta with ricotta cheese, grated parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir gently until evenly coated.
- Spread half of the sauce and sausage mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half the pasta and ricotta mixture on top, then spoon the remaining sauce over it. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly on top.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Optionally broil for 2 minutes for extra browning, watching carefully.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
If sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta cooking water to loosen. Avoid overcooking pasta as it will finish cooking in the oven. Brown sausage thoroughly for best flavor. Let baked ziti rest before serving to firm up and enhance flavors. For gluten-free, substitute pasta accordingly. For lactose intolerance, use lactose-free or dairy-free cheese alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/6th
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 22.5
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 47.5
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 32.5
Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, pasta bake, easy dinner, comfort food, ricotta, mozzarella, marinara sauce