Italian Sausage Baked Ziti
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Italian Sausage Baked Ziti, a hearty, flavor-packed pasta dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings. Loaded with tender ziti pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a rich marinara sauce, this recipe takes classic baked ziti to the next level with layers of creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and sharp parmesan cheese. Aromatic garlic, sautéed onions, and a hint of crushed red pepper bring irresistible depth to every bite. Topped with golden, bubbly cheese, this easy baked ziti recipe is oven-ready in just 20 minutes and delivers a crowd-pleasing feast for six. Serve it straight from the oven with fresh parsley for a pop of color and pair with garlic bread or a crisp Caesar salad for the ultimate Italian-American dining experience.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot, casings removed)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the sausage mixture. Add the crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with half of the shredded mozzarella, half of the grated parmesan cheese, and the chopped parsley. Mix until smooth.
Toss the cooked ziti pasta with the sausage marinara sauce in the skillet, ensuring all the pasta is well coated.
Spread a thin layer of the sausage and sauce mixture into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add half of the ziti pasta mixture on top, followed by an even layer of the ricotta mixture. Repeat with the remaining ziti and sauce mixture.
Top the dish evenly with the remaining mozzarella 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 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with extra parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4078 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 258.1 g | 331% | |
| Saturated Fat | 116.1 g | 580% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 692 mg | 231% | |
| Sodium | 9924 mg | 431% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 205.4 g | 75% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.5 g | 59% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.2 g | ||
| Protein | 224.1 g | 448% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 3197 mg | 246% | |
| Iron | 12.5 mg | 69% | |
| Potassium | 1999 mg | 43% | |
*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.
