PREP TIME: 20 MINS | COOK TIME: 55 MINS | TOTAL TIME: 75 MINS | SERVINGS: 6 to 8
This baked Ziti is a scrumptious dish with sausage, tomato sauce, and melty cheese. A classic American-Italian dish that never fails to impress everyone. This baked Ziti is comfort food at its finest!
Ingredients
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1 lb. bulk Italian sausage, ground beef, or ground pork
1 lb. ziti or penne pasta
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 to 4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 large onion, chopped
1 c. grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese
1 tbsp minced fresh rosemary or basil
8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 heaping cup ricotta cheese
4 c. jarred marinara or pasta sauce, or make your tomato sauce
Black pepper, to taste
Kosher salt
How to make Baked Ziti
Step 1: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 350 degrees F.
Pasta:
Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a strong boil. Note that for every 2-quarts of water, add 1 tbsp of salt. Add the pasta and cook until al dente but still slightly firm to the bite, uncovered.
Step 3: Through a colander, drain the pasta. To prevent the pasta from sticking together, toss with a little olive oil.
Brown the meat:
Step 4: In a large saute pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the bulk of sausage and ground meat once the oil is shimmering. Cook until brown, breaking any large pieces of sausage as it cooks. Stirring very often. You can also use ground beef in place of sausage. Just remember to sprinkle the ground beef with a little salt.
To Make the sauce:
Step 5: Add the onions to the pan once the meat is mostly browned and stir well. Continue to cook for another 4 to 5 minutes until the onions are translucent and starting to brown.
Step 6: Stir in the garlic, rosemary or basil, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and cook for a minute more. Next, add the tomato sauce, stir, and bring everything to a simmer. If needed, season with salt and pepper.
To Assemble the casserole:
Step 7: In the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch casserole pan, spread a thin layer of the sauce. On top, dot half of the ricotta cheese. Into the pasta, ladle a spoonful of the sauce and toss well, then add into the casserole. Over the pasta, pour the remaining sauce and dot with the rest of the ricotta cheese. Lastly, sprinkle the top mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. If making ahead, let the casserole cool, then cover and store in the fridge or freezer.
Bake:
Step 8: If serving right away, place in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, uncovered, until the top of the casserole is lightly browned and the cheese has melted.
Step 9: Remove from the oven when done and let the casserole stand for about 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
NUTRITION FACTS (PER SERVING):
CALORIES 557, FAT 32g, CARBS 36g, PROTEIN 30g
Ingredients
- 1 lb. bulk Italian sausage, ground beef, or ground pork
- 1 lb. ziti or penne pasta
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 c. grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese
- 1 tbsp minced fresh rosemary or basil
- 8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 heaping cup ricotta cheese
- 4 c. jarred marinara or pasta sauce, or make your tomato sauce
- Black pepper, to taste
- Kosher salt
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 350 degrees F.
Pasta:
Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a strong boil. Note that for every 2-quarts of water, add 1 tbsp of salt. Add the pasta and cook until al dente but still slightly firm to the bite, uncovered.
Step 3: Through a colander, drain the pasta. To prevent the pasta from sticking together, toss with a little olive oil.
Brown the meat:
Step 4: In a large saute pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the bulk of sausage and ground meat once the oil is shimmering. Cook until brown, breaking any large pieces of sausage as it cooks. Stirring very often. You can also use ground beef in place of sausage. Just remember to sprinkle the ground beef with a little salt.
To Make the sauce:
Step 5: Add the onions to the pan once the meat is mostly browned and stir well. Continue to cook for another 4 to 5 minutes until the onions are translucent and starting to brown.
Step 6: Stir in the garlic, rosemary or basil, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and cook for a minute more. Next, add the tomato sauce, stir, and bring everything to a simmer. If needed, season with salt and pepper.
To Assemble the casserole:
Step 7: In the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch casserole pan, spread a thin layer of the sauce. On top, dot half of the ricotta cheese. Into the pasta, ladle a spoonful of the sauce and toss well, then add into the casserole. Over the pasta, pour the remaining sauce and dot with the rest of the ricotta cheese. Lastly, sprinkle the top mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. If making ahead, let the casserole cool, then cover and store in the fridge or freezer.
Bake:
Step 8: If serving right away, place in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, uncovered, until the top of the casserole is lightly browned and the cheese has melted.
Step 9: Remove from the oven when done and let the casserole stand for about 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
