Baked Ziti

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 8
★★★★★
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Baked Ziti is a comforting classic that's perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers. This recipe combines hearty Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and a golden layer of oozy mozzarella, making it a standout dish for any occasion.

Ingredients for Baked Ziti

The star of this dish is undoubtedly the ziti pasta. Its tubular shape holds onto the sauce beautifully, ensuring every bite is flavorful. Marinara sauce brings a rich tomato base that mingles with the seasoned Italian sausage for a hearty taste. Ricotta cheese adds a creamy element, while mozzarella cheese provides that irresistible meltiness. Finally, Parmesan cheese offers a sharp, nutty contrast that tops off the dish perfectly. Aromatics like onion and garlic enhance the sauce, and a sprinkle of dried oregano and basil adds a classic Italian flair.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use a high-quality marinara sauce for a richer flavor.
  • To make it spicier, use hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  • If you're out of ricotta, cottage cheese can be a good substitute.
  • Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving to make slicing easier.

Serving Suggestions

Pair this Baked Ziti with a crisp Caesar salad and a side of garlic bread to complement the rich, cheesy flavors. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside a grilled vegetable platter or a simple roasted chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dish, cover it, and store it in the fridge for up to a day before baking.
Is there a vegetarian version?
Absolutely! Swap the Italian sausage for sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based sausage alternative.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, Baked Ziti freezes well. Just make sure it's cooled completely and stored in an airtight container.

Baked Ziti Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it nice and hot for baking. While the oven is warming up, cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until it's al dente. This way, it'll maintain some firmness even after baking. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside.

Next, grab a large skillet and heat up olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion and cook until it's translucent, which should take about 5 minutes. This step brings out the onion's sweetness and forms the base of your sauce.

Now, add the minced garlic and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook them together, breaking up the sausage with a spoon as it browns. You'll want the sausage cooked through before you move on. Once browned, stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let this mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. This step ensures that the cheese is evenly distributed throughout the pasta. Now, pour the sausage and marinara mixture over the pasta and mix everything well to combine.

Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and all of the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Cover the dish with foil and bake in your preheated oven for 20 minutes. Afterward, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Once baked, let it cool slightly before garnishing with fresh basil leaves. This adds a pop of color and a fresh aroma to your dish.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare with simple ingredients.
  • Perfect balance of creamy, savory, and cheesy flavors.
  • Great for meal prep or feeding a family.
  • Customizable with your favorite pasta or cheese.

Ingredients

1 lb ziti pasta
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the minced garlic and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until the sausage is browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
5. Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
7. Pour the sausage and marinara mixture over the pasta and mix well to combine.
8. Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
9. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
10. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

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