Description
This classic baked ziti recipe combines tender pasta with a rich tomato sauce, Italian sausage, and creamy ricotta cheese, all topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan. A comforting, crowd-pleasing Italian-American dish that’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 16 oz ziti or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus more for drizzling over pasta)
Sausage & Sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 32 oz marinara sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
- 3/4 cups shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
Seasonings & Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Dash of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- Chopped basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ziti or penne and cook until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander, then drizzle with a little olive oil and gently stir to keep the noodles from sticking. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl.
- Cook Sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard any excess fat. Set the cooked sausage aside.
- Make Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup mozzarella, ½ cup Parmesan, chopped basil, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix well until evenly combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the ricotta cheese mixture to the bowl with the cooked pasta. Pour in the marinara sauce and add the cooked sausage. Gently stir everything together to coat the pasta without breaking the noodles.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top evenly with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden brown and bubbling. Remove from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with additional chopped fresh basil if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting baked ziti!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the Italian sausage and add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers.
- You can prepare this dish a day ahead and refrigerate; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time when reheating.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella for the best melting and flavor.
- Make sure to drain the pasta well to avoid a watery bake.
