Description
This Classic Italian Baked Ziti with Sausage is a comforting, cheesy, and hearty baked pasta dish featuring layers of savory tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, crumbled Italian sausage, and bubbling mozzarella. A family favorite perfect for Sunday dinners, make-ahead meals, or cozy weeknight comfort.
Ingredients
1 lb ziti pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot, casings removed)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned. Add chopped onion and garlic, and cook until soft.
4. Pour in marinara sauce. Stir in oregano and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
5. In a bowl, mix ricotta, Parmesan, and egg until smooth.
6. In the baking dish, layer half of the ziti, half of the sauce, half of the ricotta mixture, and 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat layers.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
8. Let rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil and serve.
Notes
You can prepare this dish up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate before baking.
To freeze, assemble and wrap tightly before baking. Thaw overnight and bake as directed.
Swap Italian sausage for ground beef or turkey for a lighter variation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of dish)
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Classic Italian Baked Ziti with Sausage, baked ziti recipe, easy pasta bake, sausage ziti