Baked Ziti and Sausage Casserole
Indulge in comforting, crowd-pleasing flavors with this Baked Ziti and Sausage Casserole, a satisfying combination of tender pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a rich marinara sauce, all layered with a luscious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. This hearty casserole is elevated with aromatic garlic, sweet onions, and a touch of fresh basil, creating a dish that's bursting with Italian-inspired flavor. Perfectly baked to golden, bubbly perfection, it’s an easy-to-make dinner option that’s ideal for family meals, potlucks, or make-ahead freezer meals. With just 20 minutes of prep time, this cheesy baked ziti casserole is guaranteed to become a go-to weeknight favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 32 ounces marinara sauce
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 1 as needed non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to 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 up into small pieces, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the cooked sausage to a plate and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the marinara sauce to the skillet with the onion and garlic. Stir well and return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes to meld the flavors. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh basil. Mix until well combined.
Spread 1 cup of the sausage and marinara sauce mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the ricotta mixture. Toss until the pasta is well coated.
Layer half of the ziti mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the remaining sausage and marinara sauce. Repeat with the remaining ziti mixture and sauce.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, ensuring the foil does not touch the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional chopped basil, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
545 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 35.9 g | 46% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.9 g | 79% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 113 mg | 38% | |
| Sodium | 1247 mg | 54% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 26.6 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.8 g | ||
| Protein | 30.0 g | 60% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 460 mg | 35% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 262 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.
