Description
Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage is a comforting, cheesy dish that’s perfect for gatherings and easy weeknight dinners. Everyone will love the savory flavors and gooey texture.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz ziti pasta
For the Meat:
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
For the Sauce:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For Garnish:
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
For the Pasta:
- 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- 2. Add ziti pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
For the Meat:
- 3. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant (about one minute).
- 4. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned and crumbly, about seven minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
For the Sauce:
- 5. In a large bowl, mix together cooked ziti, browned sausage, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and half of mozzarella cheese. Stir until well combined.
For Assembly:
- 6. Spread half of the pasta mixture in a greased baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and half of Parmesan cheese.
- 7. Add another layer of pasta mixture followed by remaining mozzarella.
For Baking:
- 8. Cover with foil and bake for about 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- 9. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
