Crispy Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
A comforting and easy baked ziti recipe featuring Italian sausage, a blend of cheeses, and a crispy golden top. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (340 g) ziti pasta (penne or rigatoni can be used)
- 1 pound (450 g) Italian sausage, casing removed (mild or sweet)
- 3 cups (720 ml) marinara sauce
- 1 cup (240 ml) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- Handful fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of ziti and cook until just shy of al dente, about 6-7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes. Transfer sausage to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat.
- In the same skillet, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Return the sausage to the skillet with onions and garlic. Pour in 3 cups marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, half of the grated Parmesan (¼ cup), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with the sausage-tomato sauce mixture and the ricotta cheese blend. Stir gently until evenly coated.
- Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan evenly on top.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is bubbly, golden, and crispy at the edges.
- Let the baked ziti rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
Do not overcook the pasta as it finishes cooking in the oven. Brown the sausage well for added flavor and texture. Bake uncovered to develop a crispy top. Let the dish rest before serving to set. Tent with foil if top browns too quickly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of the recipe
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, pasta bake, crispy baked pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, cheesy pasta