Baked ziti is a delightful dish thatโs both comforting and bursting with cheesy, tomatoey flavor. Perfect for weeknight dinners and made with a hint of Italian sausage, this is a recipe that captures the essence of lasagna without the fuss of layering. Itโs a family favorite ready in no time.
Ingredients
- Onion โ 1, chopped
- Garlic cloves โ 8, minced
- Olive Oil โ 2 to 3 tablespoons
- Ground Italian Sausage โ 450 g (1 lb)
- Marinara Sauce โ 480 ml (2 cups)
- Italian Seasoning โ 1 tablespoon
- Red Pepper Flakes โ to taste
- Canned Whole Tomatoes โ 1 can
- Salt and Pepper โ to taste
- Ziti Pasta โ 450 g (1 lb), cooked al dente
- Parmesan Cheese โ 66 g (2/3 cup), grated
- Ricotta Cheese โ about 120 g (1/2 cup), dolloped
- Mozzarella Cheese โ 400 g (4 cups), shredded
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sautรฉ Aromatics
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic. - Cook the Sausage
Add the ground Italian sausage to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until itโs no longer pink, ensuring a nice brown color. - Make the Sauce
Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes to taste, and canned whole tomatoes to the sausage. Simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes, breaking up the tomatoes as it cooks, until thickened. - Boil the Pasta
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside. - Assemble the Ziti
Preheat your oven to 175ยฐC (350ยฐF). Spoon some tomato sauce onto the bottom of a large casserole dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti, half of the remaining sauce, and half of the cheeses (Parmesan, Ricotta, and Mozzarella). Repeat the layers, ending with a sprinkle of Parmesan on top. - Bake to Perfection
Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes or until the top is bubbly and melted. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Thereโs nothing quite like the aroma of baked ziti wafting through the kitchen. This dish is not only flavorful and filling but also comes together without a fuss. Pair it with a crisp salad or a crusty bread, and youโre in for a soulful meal thatโs bound to impress. Enjoy!
