Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage Recipe

About

A hearty, comforting baked ziti loaded with savory Italian sausage, tangy marinara, and bubbling melted cheese. Simple enough for a weeknight dinner but satisfying enough for company.

1. 1

   Preheat Oven

   preheat 10 min

   Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375°F. Allow at least 10 minutes for the oven to fully come to temperature before baking. While the oven preheats, begin boiling your pasta water in step 2.

2. 2

   Boil Salted Water

   prep 10 min

   Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. This will take about 8–10 minutes. While waiting for the water to boil, start cooking the sausage in step 3.

3. 3

   Brown the Sausage

   cook 8 min

   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through with no pink remaining (internal temperature of 160°F). Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant. Season lightly with black pepper.

4. 4

   Cook the Ziti

   cook 9 min

   Once the water is boiling, add the ziti and cook according to package directions minus 2 minutes (about 8–9 minutes) — the pasta should be slightly underdone since it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain the pasta through a colander and set aside.

5. 5

   Combine Sauce and Pasta

   prep 3 min

   Return the drained ziti to the large pot or a large bowl. Add the marinara sauce, cooked sausage mixture, ricotta cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella (1 cup). Stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated and the ingredients are well distributed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. 6

   Assemble and Top

   prep 3 min

   Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish and pour the ziti mixture into it, spreading it out into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella evenly over the top, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.

7. 7

   Bake Covered

   cook 20 min

   Place the covered baking dish in the preheated 375°F oven and bake for 20 minutes. The dish should be hot and bubbling around the edges by the end of this time. Keep the foil on during this stage to trap steam and keep the pasta moist.

8. 8

   Bake Uncovered Until Golden

   cook 10 min

   Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. The internal temperature of the casserole should reach at least 165°F. Remove from the oven when the top has a few golden spots.

9. 9

   Rest the Ziti

   rest 5 min

   Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it rest uncovered for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to settle and thicken slightly, making it easier to portion and serve.

10. 10

    Serve

    serve

    Scoop generous portions of baked ziti into bowls or onto plates. Optionally garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh basil. Serve hot and enjoy immediately.