Description
This Easy Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American casserole featuring ziti pasta baked in a flavorful tomato sauce with Italian sausage, creamy ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that combines hearty, cheesy goodness with rich herbs and spices, providing a delicious and satisfying dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
Tomato Sauce Mix
- 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
Pasta
- 16 ounces ziti
Cheese Mixture
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided: 1 cup for cheese mixture, 1 cup for topping)
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Garnish (optional)
- Thinly sliced fresh basil leaves or chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Brown Sausage and Onion: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage and diced onion together. Break the sausage up with a spoon until it is finely crumbled and browned evenly. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the pasta sauce, canned diced tomatoes with juices, water, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Let the mixture simmer uncovered for about 12 minutes or until it thickens slightly, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook Ziti: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta thoroughly once cooked.
- Mix Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, chopped parsley, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Stir well to create a smooth cheese mixture.
- Assemble Layers: Spread 1 cup of the sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Place half of the cooked ziti evenly over the sauce. Spread all of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta. Spoon half of the remaining sauce on top of the ricotta layer.
- Add Remaining Layers: Layer the remaining ziti over the sauce, pour the last of the sauce on top, and finish by sprinkling the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over everything.
- Bake: Bake the assembled ziti uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden, bubbly, and fully heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with thinly sliced fresh basil leaves or extra chopped parsley before serving to add a fresh herbal touch.
Notes
- If substituting sausage with ground beef or turkey, add 2 cloves of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning while cooking the meat for added flavor.
- For a spicy kick, add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes to the sauce as it simmers.
- To prepare ahead, complete all steps except topping with the final cup of cheese. Refrigerate tightly covered for up to 48 hours or freeze up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen.
- Before baking after refrigeration, remove the dish 30 minutes prior to baking to come to room temperature. Bake for 25 minutes, then add the reserved cheese topping and bake an additional 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 598
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1257mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 97mg
