Sausage Pepper Baked Ziti
Loaded with bold flavors and bubbly, cheesy goodness, Sausage Pepper Baked Ziti is the ultimate crowd-pleasing comfort food. This hearty pasta casserole starts with tender ziti tossed in a rich tomato sauce, simmered to perfection with savory Italian sausage, sweet red and green bell peppers, and aromatic garlic. Layered with creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan, it bakes to golden, bubbly perfection in just under an hour. Perfect for cozy family dinners or feeding a hungry crowd, this ziti recipe pairs beautifully with a crisp side salad and a slice of garlic bread. Easy to prepare and bursting with classic Italian flavors, it’s a must-try dish for pasta lovers everywhere!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, casing removed)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (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 and cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sliced bell peppers. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes to develop flavors.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the sauce. Stir to combine. Remove the skillet from the heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with the sausage and pepper sauce. Mix until evenly coated.
Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese over the pasta and sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan.
Top with the remaining pasta mixture and evenly sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the top.
Cover the 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 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for garnish.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4978 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 253.1 g | 324% | |
| Saturated Fat | 106.8 g | 534% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 744 mg | 248% | |
| Sodium | 8365 mg | 364% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 454.1 g | 165% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 43.7 g | 156% | |
| Total Sugars | 62.7 g | ||
| Protein | 252.8 g | 506% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 3989 mg | 307% | |
| Iron | 31.1 mg | 173% | |
| Potassium | 4166 mg | 89% | |
*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.
