Cheesy Italian Sausage Baked Ziti

This Cheesy Italian Sausage Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food for pasta lovers. With hearty ziti pasta, rich tomato sauce, flavorful Italian sausage, and loads of melted cheese, it’s the perfect dish for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or family gatherings.

 Prep & Cook Time

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Servings: 6 to 8 people

 Ingredients

For the Pasta:

• 450g (1 lb) ziti pasta
• Salt for pasta water

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 500g (1.1 lb) Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 700ml (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)

For the Cheese Layer:

• 250g (9 oz) ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Topping:

• 250g (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 50g (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan cheese

 Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Cook ziti pasta until al dente (about 1-2 minutes less than package directions).
• Drain and set aside.

2. Make the Meat Sauce

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
• Add onion and cook until soft.
• Stir in garlic, tomato paste, and red pepper flakes.
• Pour in the marinara sauce, season with salt and pepper.
• Let simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Prepare the Ricotta Mixture

• In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

4. Assemble the Ziti

• Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
• In a large baking dish, spread a layer of meat sauce.
• Add half of the pasta, then dollop ricotta mixture, followed by more meat sauce.
• Repeat layers, ending with sauce.
• Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan on top.

5. Bake

• Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

6. Serve

• Let rest for 5 minutes.
• Garnish with chopped basil or parsley.
• Serve hot.

 Tips & Variations

• Make it ahead: Assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
• Add veggies: Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini go well.
• Spice it up: Use hot Italian sausage or add extra chili flakes.
• Use penne: A great substitute if you don’t have ziti.

 Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: ~550 kcal
• Protein: 28g
• Carbs: 45g
• Fat: 30g
• Fiber: 3g

 Best Served With

• Garlic bread
• Caesar salad
• Roasted vegetables

 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Gooey, cheesy, and hearty
• Packed with flavor and texture
• Perfect for gatherings or meal prep
• Classic Italian-American comfort food