Cheesy Tomato and Sausage Bake with Ziti Pasta
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Cheesy Tomato and Sausage Bake with Ziti Pasta! Packed with layers of tender ziti, zesty Italian sausage, and a robust homemade tomato sauce, this hearty baked pasta dish is topped with a luscious trio of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. The savory blend of aromatic garlic, onions, and Italian herbs infuses every bite with rich, satisfying flavor, while a golden, bubbly cheese crust crowns the dish to perfection. Ideal for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings, this easy-to-make casserole is ready in just over an hour and serves up to six. Garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of color, and pair with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a meal that’s as comforting as it is crowd-pleasing.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.25 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 0.75 cups parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or a light coating of olive oil. Set it aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, then the Italian sausage. Cook the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
In the same skillet with the sausage drippings, add the diced onion. Sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Stir the cooked sausage back into the tomato sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta, the sausage and tomato sauce mixture, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until evenly mixed.
Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Drop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese evenly over the pasta layer, then sprinkle with half of the grated parmesan cheese.
Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheeses over the top.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and 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 edges are slightly browned.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
676 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 42.3 g | 54% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.1 g | 95% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 122 mg | 41% | |
| Sodium | 1595 mg | 69% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34.0 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.1 g | 15% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.5 g | ||
| Protein | 38.6 g | 77% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 571 mg | 44% | |
| Iron | 2.9 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 657 mg | 14% | |
*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.
