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Finished Baked ziti
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5 from 3 votes

Authentic Italian Baked Ziti with Sausage

A creamy and cheesy pasta casserole perfect for holidays or serving a large group! Baked Ziti is an Italian-American classic that families will all have their own recipes for!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 540kcal
Author: Vincent DelGiudice
Cost: $15

Equipment

  • 1 large baking tray
  • 1 large pot
  • 1 large saucepan

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground Italian Sausage
  • 1 lb ziti
  • 1 28 oz can pureed tomatoes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 5 basil leaves
  • 1 medium onion, minced
  • 1 cup mozzarella
  • ½ cup parmesan
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Ricotta Mixture

  • 2 cups ricotta
  • ½ cup parmesan
  • ½ cup mozzarella
  • ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 egg

Instructions

  • Bring a saucepan to medium heat. Add olive oil. Saute onions until soft, about 5 minutes. Then stir in the minced garlic. Saute for one more minute and then add ground sausage. Break sausage apart and cook until sausage is browned. Once the sausage is browned, add the tomatoes, basil, and salt. Simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 375℉. Combine ricotta ingredients in a bowl. This can be done a day in advance.
  • In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Boil ziti for 6 minutes. Drain and return to the pot. Add a cup of the sauce to the pasta. Add half of the pasta to the baking tray. Add a layer of sauce combined with the ricotta mixture and stir together. Layer half of the mozzarella on top. Add the second half of the pasta on top. Then spoon the rest of the sauce over the pasta with more ricotta. Top with a final layer of mozzarella and parmesan and a few dollops of ricotta.
  • Place the tray in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. cover with aluminum foil for the first 20 minutes. Remove from the oven when the cheese and sauce are bubbling. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Notes

  1. You can prepare the baking dish ahead of time and place it in the refrigerator covered with aluminum foil for up to 2 days prior to baking. 
  2. Prepare the ricotta 24 hours in advance for the best flavor and marinating!

Nutrition

Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 998mg | Potassium: 327mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 594IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 337mg | Iron: 2mg