Ziti and Sausage Bake
Get ready to dive into comfort food heaven with this rich and flavorful Ziti and Sausage Bake! Loaded with tender ziti pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a robust homemade tomato sauce infused with garlic, oregano, and basil, this baked pasta masterpiece is the epitome of cozy delight. A creamy ricotta filling, layered with melty mozzarella and Parmesan, takes this dish to indulgent new heights, while fresh parsley adds a pop of freshness. Perfectly baked until bubbly and golden, this casserole-style dinner is ideal for feeding a crowd or savoring leftovers. Whether you choose sweet or spicy sausage, this easy-to-make pasta bake promises to deliver bold flavors and irresistible cheesy goodness with every bite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage (remove casing if using links) and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened, then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and mix it into the sauce. Remove the skillet from the heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella, and half of the grated Parmesan. Stir in the chopped parsley.
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of the sausage and tomato sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked ziti pasta, followed by dollops of the ricotta mixture. Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients, ending with a layer of sauce on top.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional chopped parsley, if desired, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4580 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 224.9 g | 288% | |
| Saturated Fat | 98.7 g | 494% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 743 mg | 248% | |
| Sodium | 8068 mg | 351% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 436.4 g | 159% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 38.6 g | 138% | |
| Total Sugars | 52.9 g | ||
| Protein | 243.0 g | 486% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 4199 mg | 323% | |
| Iron | 31.9 mg | 177% | |
| Potassium | 3926 mg | 84% | |
*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.
