Description

This easy baked ziti recipe features Italian sausage, tender pasta, and a rich tomato sauce layered with creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella cheeses. Baked until golden and bubbly, it’s a comforting and satisfying Italian-American classic perfect for family dinners or meal prep.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Meat and Vegetables

1 pound Italian sausage
1 small yellow onion, diced

Sauce

28 ounces pasta sauce or marinara sauce
14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices (1 can)
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 cup water
Salt and pepper, to taste

Pasta and Cheese

16 ounces ziti pasta
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 large egg
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Garnish (optional)

Thinly sliced fresh basil leaves or chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Cook Sausage and Onion: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage and diced onion, breaking up the sausage with a spoon until fairly fine. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Make the Sauce: Add the pasta sauce, canned diced tomatoes with juices, water, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Simmer uncovered for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, boil the ziti pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain well.
Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, chopped parsley, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and the Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly.
Assemble the Dish: Spread 1 cup of the prepared sauce at the bottom of the greased baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti on top, then evenly spread all of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta. Pour half of the remaining sauce over the cheese layer.
Layer Remaining Ingredients: Add the remaining ziti over the sauce, followed by the rest of the sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the dish is bubbly.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with thinly sliced fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley if desired. Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

If substituting the Italian sausage with ground beef or turkey, add 2 cloves of garlic minced and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning to the meat as it cooks for added flavor.
For a spicy kick, add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes to the sauce while it simmers.
To prepare ahead: Assemble the dish as directed but reserve the top 1 cup of mozzarella cheese separately. Refrigerate tightly covered for up to 48 hours or freeze for up to 4 months. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Before baking, remove from fridge 30 minutes ahead. Bake for 25 minutes, add the reserved cheese, then bake another 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/8th of recipe)
Calories: 598
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 1257mg
Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 54g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 34g
Cholesterol: 97mg