Baked Ziti with Tomato Mozzarella and Sausage
Indulge in the comforting goodness of this Baked Ziti with Tomato Mozzarella and Sausage, a hearty Italian-inspired casserole that's perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Tender ziti pasta is enveloped in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, packed with savory Italian sausage, sautéed onions, and aromatic garlic. Layers of creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and nutty parmesan create a melty, cheesy masterpiece, beautifully golden and bubbly after baking. Infused with herbs like dried basil and oregano, this dish brings a burst of classic Mediterranean flavors to your table. Ready in just over an hour, it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe to pair with a crisp salad or warm garlic bread. Satisfy your cravings with this ultimate baked pasta comfort food!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 0.5 cups parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, optional for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes).
Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the sausage and sauté until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir in the tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and let it cook for 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with the sausage tomato sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
Spread half of the pasta mixture in the prepared baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese over the pasta and spread it gently. Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of grated parmesan over the layer. Repeat the layering with the remaining pasta mixture, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Serve warm with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
665 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 41.6 g | 53% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.2 g | 101% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 125 mg | 42% | |
| Sodium | 1352 mg | 59% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31.5 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.0 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.0 g | ||
| Protein | 39.0 g | 78% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 620 mg | 48% | |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 627 mg | 13% | |
*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.
