Superb Sausage Ziti
Get ready to elevate your weeknight dinner game with this hearty and irresistible recipe for Superb Sausage Ziti! Tender ziti pasta is tossed with creamy ricotta cheese and a robust, flavor-packed tomato sauce made with savory Italian sausage, garlic, and aromatic herbs like fresh basil and Italian seasoning. This classic baked pasta dish is layered with gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan, then baked to golden, bubbly perfection. Customize it with mild or spicy sausage to suit your taste, and enjoy a comforting meal that satisfies the whole family. Whether you're hosting guests or craving an easy yet indulgent dinner, this baked ziti recipe delivers on flavor, texture, and presentation. Perfect for meal prep or serving straight from the oven, it’s the ultimate baked pasta dish you'll keep coming back to!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, crumbling it with a spoon, and cook until browned, around 6-8 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until fragrant.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine, then return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the chopped fresh basil and remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta, ricotta cheese, and half of the prepared sauce. Mix until evenly coated.
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, then layer with half of the remaining sauce. Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta, sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
Finish by sprinkling the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Remove from the oven and let the ziti sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil, if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3278 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 130.3 g | 167% | |
| Saturated Fat | 48.2 g | 241% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 347 mg | 116% | |
| Sodium | 4543 mg | 198% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 393.5 g | 143% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 37.2 g | 133% | |
| Total Sugars | 43.5 g | ||
| Protein | 161.9 g | 324% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1266 mg | 97% | |
| Iron | 29.5 mg | 164% | |
| Potassium | 3129 mg | 67% | |
*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.
