Baked Ziti and Italian Sausage
Experience the ultimate comfort food with this Baked Ziti and Italian Sausage recipe, a hearty dish bursting with bold flavors and gooey layers of cheese. Perfectly al dente ziti pasta is tossed with creamy ricotta, savory marinara sauce, and browned Italian sausage, creating a rich and satisfying base. Each layer is topped with a generous blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, baked to golden, bubbly perfection. Infused with fragrant garlic and optional red pepper flakes for a hint of spice, this easy, crowd-pleasing casserole is ideal for weeknight dinners or special gatherings. Garnish with fresh basil for a pop of color and flavor, and enjoy a slice of Italian-inspired heaven! Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, cheesy baked pasta, family dinner casserole, comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons basil leaves, chopped (optional for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the marinara sauce and stir to combine. Season with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until evenly coated.
Spread a thin layer of the sausage marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Add half of the ziti mixture to the baking dish and spread evenly. Top with half of the remaining sausage marinara sauce and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Layer the remaining ziti mixture, followed by the rest of the sausage marinara sauce. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
Remove from the oven and let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped basil leaves, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
658 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 43.2 g | 55% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.5 g | 93% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 105 mg | 35% | |
| Sodium | 1636 mg | 71% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 32.9 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.1 g | ||
| Protein | 35.4 g | 71% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 542 mg | 42% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 265 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
