Description
Italian Sausage Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for family dinners or gatherings. This hearty dish combines layers of savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and melted cheese, creating a deliciously satisfying meal that everyone will love. With only 10 minutes of prep time and a straightforward cooking process, this baked ziti is not just quick but also freezer-friendly, making it ideal for busy weeknights. It’s versatile enough to accommodate various pasta types and can easily be customized with your favorite ingredients. Each bite offers a burst of flavor that brings the taste of Italy right to 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
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook ziti in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the sausage with olive oil; drain excess fat.
- Add garlic, marinara sauce, and red pepper flakes to the sausage; simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in cooked pasta until evenly coated.
- Layer half of the pasta mixture in the baking dish; top with half of the mozzarella and Pecorino Romano cheeses.
- Repeat layering with remaining pasta and cheeses.
- Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 200g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg