Description
This classic Baked Ziti recipe combines tender pasta with savory Italian sausage, creamy ricotta cheese, rich marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Baked to perfection with a golden bubbly top, it’s a comforting and hearty casserole perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 oz ziti or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for drizzling over pasta
Meat
- 1 pound Italian sausage
Sauce and Cheese Mixture
- 32 oz marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
- 3/4 cups shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Dash of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Chopped basil, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside to use later.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti or penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain well using a colander, then drizzle the pasta with a little olive oil and stir gently to prevent sticking. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl.
- Cook Sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard any excess fat. Set the cooked sausage aside.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, chopped basil, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Stir until thoroughly combined.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the ricotta cheese mixture to the cooked pasta. Pour in the marinara sauce and add the cooked sausage. Gently stir everything together, taking care not to break the pasta noodles.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Pour the pasta mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden brown and the pasta is bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional chopped fresh basil if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- You can freeze the baked ziti for up to 3 months; thaw before reheating.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Use turkey sausage as a leaner alternative to Italian sausage for a lower-fat version.
- For gluten-free, substitute the pasta with gluten-free penne.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
