Description
Sausage Baked Ziti is an irresistible comfort food that brings together layers of perfectly cooked ziti pasta, flavorful sweet Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and gooey cheese. This hearty dish is golden and crusty on top while remaining creamy and indulgent in the center. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights in, it’s a straightforward recipe that guarantees to impress with its robust flavors and satisfying textures. Whether served at dinner parties or enjoyed as a weeknight meal, Sausage Baked Ziti is sure to become a favorite. Plus, it’s easily customizable with your choice of vegetables or cheeses, making it adaptable to various tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound sweet Italian ground sausage
- 16 ounces ziti pasta
- 28-ounce can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes
- 2 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly oil a 9 X 13-inch baking dish.
- In a large saucepan, cook the ground sausage over medium heat until browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same saucepan, sauté onion and garlic until soft. Stir in tomato paste and whole tomatoes; add herbs and reserved sausage.
- Simmer the sauce for about 20 minutes until thickened.
- Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions but reduce cooking time by two minutes; drain.
- Combine ricotta with ziti and mix with sauce; layer in the baking dish with mozzarella.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 70mg