Description
Italian Sausage Baked Ziti is a comforting and hearty dish that combines the flavors of savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and layers of gooey cheese. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this easy-to-make baked pasta dish comes together in just a short time and is freezer-friendly, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights. With its crowd-pleasing flavor, it’s no wonder this recipe will quickly become a staple on your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz dried ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (hot or mild)
- 32 oz marinara sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook ziti in salted water until al dente, about 1 minute less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage with olive oil until browned; drain excess fat.
- Stir in minced garlic, then add marinara sauce and red pepper flakes; simmer for 10 minutes.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce mixture.
- Layer half of the pasta in the baking dish, sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Pecorino Romano. Repeat with remaining pasta and cheeses on top.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (245g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg