Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
Indulge in the comfort of baked ziti with Italian sausage, a deliciously cheesy pasta dish that brings warmth and joy to any gathering. With layers of tender ziti, savory sausage, and rich marinara sauce topped with gooey mozzarella, this recipe is perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers. Easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying, baked ziti will quickly become a favorite in your household.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil (chopped)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Boil salted water and cook the ziti until al dente (8-10 minutes); drain.
- In a skillet, brown the sliced Italian sausage over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix cooked ziti, marinara sauce, ricotta, half of the mozzarella, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sautéed sausage.
- Layer half of the mixture in the baking dish; top with half of the remaining mozzarella and some Parmesan. Add the rest of the pasta mixture on top.
- Finish with leftover cheeses and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 60mg