Description
This Easy Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American classic featuring tender pasta baked with a rich sausage tomato sauce and a luscious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Layers of savory sausage, tangy tomato sauce, and creamy cheese come together in a hearty casserole perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and 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
Pasta
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- ½ tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
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: Brown the ground Italian sausage in a large skillet or pot over medium heat until it is browned and crispy on the edges. While the sausage cooks, finely dice the yellow onion. Add the diced onion to the skillet once the sausage is browned and continue to sauté until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Make Sauce: Stir the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning blend, and ½ cup water into the skillet with the sausage and onions. Cover the skillet with a lid and bring the mixture to a simmer. Lower the heat and let the sauce gently simmer, stirring occasionally, while you prepare the pasta.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, adding ½ tablespoon salt. Add the ziti pasta to the boiling water and cook until tender, about 7-8 minutes. Drain the cooked pasta in a colander.
- Make Cheese Filling: While the pasta and sauce cook, combine the ricotta cheese, Italian cheese blend, and freshly cracked black pepper in a bowl. Stir well to combine. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC).
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return the drained pasta to the pot and add 1 cup of the prepared red sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Layer Ingredients: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half of the sauced pasta. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta in small spoonfuls. Spoon half of the remaining red sauce and sausage over the ricotta. Repeat the layering with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and sauce. Finally, top the entire dish with 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil, tenting it slightly so it doesn’t touch the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Broil and Serve: Remove the foil and switch the oven to broil. Broil for 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Keep a close watch to prevent burning. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Use sweet, mild, or hot Italian sausage depending on your spice preference.
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta in the boiling water, as it will continue cooking during baking.
- Tenting the foil prevents it from sticking to the melted cheese.
- Watch closely during broiling to avoid burning the cheesy topping.
- Fresh chopped parsley adds a nice color and freshness but is optional.
