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Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta Recipe

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3.9 from 37 reviews

  • Author: Jane
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

Classic baked ziti loaded with savory Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella cheese, baked to bubbly perfection — the ultimate comforting pasta bake that’s perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 12 oz ziti pasta

Meat

  • ½ lb Italian sausage

Sauces & Cheeses

  • 1½ cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C) to prepare for baking the pasta dish.
  2. Cook Pasta: Boil the ziti pasta in salted water until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes, then drain well to prevent sogginess.
  3. Brown Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, crumble and brown the Italian sausage until fully cooked and browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  4. Add Marinara Sauce: Pour the marinara sauce into the browned sausage in the skillet and stir to combine, allowing it to simmer for 2-3 minutes for flavors to meld.
  5. Layer Ingredients: In a baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti pasta, then top with half of the sausage and marinara mixture. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese across the layer and sprinkle with half the shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, sausage sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella. Finish by sprinkling the grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
  6. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
  7. Rest & Serve: Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set and cool slightly for easier portioning.

Notes

  • Add fresh spinach or roasted red peppers to the layers for extra flavor and nutrition.
  • Use Italian sweet or spicy sausage based on your preferred heat level.
  • For a richer dish, mix some shredded mozzarella into the ricotta before layering.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner / Pasta
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://cookingmomy.com/baked-ziti-with-sausage-and-ricotta-recipe/