Description
Baked ziti with Italian sausage is a comforting, cheesy dish that brings warmth to any occasion. Picture layers of tender ziti pasta enveloped in rich marinara sauce, savory Italian sausage crumbles, and gooey melted mozzarella cheese. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for family dinners or gatherings, sure to impress every guest at your table. Enjoy it fresh out of the oven paired with garlic bread for an unforgettable meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (spicy or mild)
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley (chopped)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil a large pot of salted water; cook ziti until al dente, then drain.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the Italian sausage until browned.
- Add marinara sauce to the sausage and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs.
- Layer in a baking dish: start with pasta, add half the sausage mixture, dollops of ricotta, then mozzarella. Repeat layers.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan before baking for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool for five minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg