Description
This easy baked ziti recipe features layers of savory Italian sausage, hearty pasta, rich ricotta cheese, and melty mozzarella baked to golden perfection. A comforting Italian-American classic, this dish is straightforward to prepare and perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (sweet, mild, or hot)
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 oz tomato paste
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning blend
- ½ cup water
For the Pasta
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- ½ tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
For the Cheese Filling
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 cup Italian cheese blend (or a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 handful chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown Sausage and Sauté Onions: Heat a large skillet or pot over medium heat and brown the Italian sausage until crispy on the edges. Add finely diced onion once the sausage has browned, and sauté until onions are soft and translucent.
- Make Sauce: Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and ½ cup water into the skillet. Cover and bring to a simmer; reduce heat and let simmer gently, stirring occasionally.
- Cook Pasta: While sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti for 7-8 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Filling: In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, Italian cheese blend, and freshly cracked black pepper until well combined. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return cooked ziti to the pot and stir in 1 cup of the red sauce to coat the pasta.
- Layer Ingredients: In a 9×13” baking dish, layer half the ziti, dollops of half the ricotta mixture, and half the sausage sauce. Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, ricotta, and sauce. Top with shredded mozzarella.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil, tenting it slightly, and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Broil and Serve: Remove foil, switch oven to broil, and broil the ziti for 5 minutes until cheese is browned and bubbly. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Use mild or hot Italian sausage depending on your preference.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute sausage with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based crumbles.
- Make sure to tent the foil to prevent it from sticking to the cheese while baking.
- Keep a close eye during broiling to avoid burning the cheese topping.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
