If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food that’s sure to please a crowd, this Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage is your answer. It’s a perfect blend of al dente pasta, rich tomato sauce, savory Italian sausage, and melty cheese that creates an irresistible dish. I’ve perfected this recipe through countless family dinners, and it’s become my go-to when I need a reliable, delicious meal that everyone loves.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or hot, based on preference)
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the ziti in salted water until just shy of al dente – about 2 minutes less than package instructions. The pasta will continue cooking in the oven.
- While the pasta cooks, brown the Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into smaller pieces.
- Add minced garlic to the sausage and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta, eggs, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, basil, and oregano.
- Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the marinara sauce and sausage mixture, stirring to combine.
- Layer half the pasta mixture in the baking dish, spread the ricotta mixture evenly on top, then add the remaining pasta.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Cook Time and Serving Size
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8-10 portions
Recipe Notes
– Don’t rinse the pasta after cooking – the starch helps the sauce stick better.
– Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes after baking to help it set up properly.
– For meal prep, you can assemble this dish up to 24 hours in advance and keep it refrigerated before baking.
– If your sauce seems too thick, save some pasta cooking water to thin it out.
– To freeze, prepare up to the baking step, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
– For a lighter version, use turkey Italian sausage and part-skim cheeses.
Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage sweet or hot, based on preference
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the ziti in salted water until just shy of al dente – about 2 minutes less than package instructions. The pasta will continue cooking in the oven.
- While the pasta cooks, brown the Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into smaller pieces.
- Add minced garlic to the sausage and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta, eggs, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, basil, and oregano.
- Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the marinara sauce and sausage mixture, stirring to combine.
- Layer half the pasta mixture in the baking dish, spread the ricotta mixture evenly on top, then add the remaining pasta.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.