Sunday Gravy and Baked Ziti
Indulge in the ultimate Italian-American comfort food with this Sunday Gravy and Baked Ziti recipe, a dish that combines rich, slow-simmered meat sauce with layers of cheesy, baked pasta perfection. The Sunday Gravy—a robust tomato sauce simmered for hours with tender pork ribs, Italian sausage, and ground beef—creates a flavor-packed base that's perfect for soaking into al dente ziti. Layered with creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan, this baked ziti emerges from the oven bubbly and golden, ready to steal the spotlight at any gathering. Perfect for weekend cooking or a family feast, this recipe is a culinary masterpiece that's as comforting as it is crowd-pleasing. Pair it with crusty bread and a simple green salad for the ultimate Sunday dinner experience.
The Toxic-Free Cutting Board
Medical-grade titanium. No microplastics. No bacteria. No compromises.
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 links sweet Italian sausage
- 2 pounds bone-in pork ribs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion
- 6 garlic cloves
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 2 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausages and pork ribs, searing until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove meats and set aside.
In the same pot, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sauté the diced onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and water to the pot. Stir well to combine.
Season the sauce with dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Mix thoroughly, then return the browned meats (sausages and pork ribs) to the pot.
Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The meats should become incredibly tender, and the sauce will thicken.
While the sauce is simmering, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the ziti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, following package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Mix until smooth.
In a deep baking dish, spread a ladleful of Sunday Gravy on the bottom to prevent sticking. Layer half of the cooked pasta over the sauce.
Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta, followed by an even layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Ladle some more Sunday Gravy on top.
Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, Sunday Gravy, and cheeses, finishing with a generous layer of mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden on top.
Allow the baked ziti to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Serve alongside additional Sunday Gravy and any reserved meats for a hearty, comforting meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
926 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 60.5 g | 78% | |
| Saturated Fat | 25.6 g | 128% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 163 mg | 54% | |
| Sodium | 1332 mg | 58% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.4 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.7 g | 20% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.4 g | ||
| Protein | 57.0 g | 114% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 506 mg | 39% | |
| Iron | 5.0 mg | 28% | |
| Potassium | 1397 mg | 30% | |
*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.
