Description
Hearty baked ziti with sausage brings Italian comfort to your dinner table, melding rich tomato sauce and melted cheese into a soul-warming casserole. Layers of pasta, savory meat, and gooey mozzarella promise a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground sausage
- 1 pound ziti pasta
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounces/794 grams) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) to prepare for baking the ziti casserole.
- Cook ziti pasta until al dente, following package guidelines. Thoroughly drain and set aside.
- Brown ground sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking into crumbly pieces.
- Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the sausage, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Pour crushed tomatoes into the meat mixture, seasoning with oregano, salt, and pepper. Allow sauce to simmer and develop rich flavors for 10 minutes.
- Combine cooked pasta with the sausage-tomato sauce in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring every pasta piece is evenly coated.
- Transfer half the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish, creating an initial layer.
- Generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the first layer, covering the surface completely.
- Add remaining pasta mixture on top, creating a second layer.
- Top the final layer with another generous helping of both cheese varieties.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown with crispy edges.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
- Serve hot, garnishing with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook ziti al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring a satisfying texture that holds up in the cheesy sauce.
- Sausage Selection: Choose mild or spicy Italian sausage based on your heat preference, or swap with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Cheese Customization: Mix in ricotta for extra creaminess or experiment with different cheese blends like provolone or fontina for unique flavor profiles.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg