Description
Italian Sausage Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food, blending savory Italian sausage, a rich marinara sauce, and layers of gooey melted cheese for a satisfying meal that the whole family will love. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this dish is easy to prepare and can be made ahead or frozen for later use. With its hearty flavors and customizable ingredients, you can adapt it to suit your preferences. Serve it warm with a side salad and garlic bread for an unforgettable dining experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz dried ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 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; drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage; cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in garlic; add marinara sauce and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Combine pasta with the sauce mixture in the skillet.
- Layer half of the pasta in the baking dish, top with half of the mozzarella and Pecorino cheeses. Add remaining pasta and top with remaining cheeses.
- Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (245g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg