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Cozy Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Ricotta

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A warm, cheesy baked ziti featuring Italian sausage and creamy ricotta, perfect for easy family dinners and comforting weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed (sweet or spicy)
  • 1 pound ziti pasta, cooked al dente (penne can be substituted)
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound of ziti and cook until just al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Add minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Pour marinara sauce into the skillet with the sausage and garlic. Stir well and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
  6. In a medium bowl, mix ricotta, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and chopped basil. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
  7. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta with the sausage tomato sauce. Gently fold in the ricotta cheese mixture until evenly coated.
  8. Spoon half of the pasta mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded mozzarella. Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
  9. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  10. Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain excess sausage fat to reduce greasiness. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Let baked ziti rest before serving to set. Cover with foil halfway through baking if cheese browns too fast. Assemble the night before and bake from fridge, adding extra bake time.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, ricotta, family dinner, comfort food, pasta bake, easy recipe

Find it online: https://grubella.com/cozy-baked-ziti-with-italian-sausage-and-ricotta-easy-family-dinner-recipe/