Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Cheese
This Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Cheese is a comforting, cheesy, and hearty Italian-inspired pasta bake that's perfect for family dinners or meal prep!
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
- 9x13 inch Baking Dish
- Colander
- Spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage mild or spicy depending on taste preference
- 2 cups marinara sauce your favorite quality jarred or homemade
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook the Italian sausage until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the marinara sauce to the cooked sausage in the skillet. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let this simmer gently for 5 minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
- In your 9x13-inch baking dish, start with a layer of the sausage and marinara sauce mixture. Add half of the cooked ziti pasta over the sauce. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly across the pasta, then repeat the layers once more: sauce, pasta, ricotta cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Once baked, let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Cover with foil initially to avoid burning the cheese topping.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.