Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this baked ziti featuring Italian sausage, gooey cheese, and zesty marinara. Perfect for gathering family and friends, this dish is easy to make and will fill your home with mouthwatering aromas. Whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner or a festive occasion, this baked ziti is sure to bring joy to your table.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Serves approximately 8 people 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 15 oz ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage for about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in marinara sauce and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with half of the mozzarella until smooth.
- In a baking dish, layer meat sauce, half of the cooked ziti, and half of the ricotta mixture; repeat layers.
- Top with remaining meat sauce and mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes until golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 240g)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg