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Comforting Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage Easy Cheesy Crust Recipe

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A hearty and cheesy baked ziti featuring Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and a golden cheesy crust, perfect for family dinners and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta (or penne)
  • 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed (spicy or mild)
  • 3 cups (720ml) marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 ½ cups (170g) shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk mozzarella preferred)
  • ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup (245g) ricotta cheese (optional)
  • ½ cup (120ml) whole milk or cream
  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound (450g) of ziti pasta and cook until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove sausage to a plate, leaving drippings in the pan.
  3. In the same skillet, add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in dried oregano and basil.
  4. Return browned sausage to skillet. Pour in marinara sauce and stir well. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, milk or cream, and half of the shredded mozzarella. Mix until smooth.
  6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta with the sausage tomato sauce, mixing well.
  7. Spread half of the pasta mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Dollop half the ricotta mixture over the pasta and gently swirl to distribute. Repeat with remaining pasta and ricotta mixture.
  8. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan evenly on top.
  9. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Watch closely near the end to avoid burning.
  10. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or basil before serving.

Notes

[‘Do not overcook pasta; al dente is best as it will bake further in the oven.’, ‘Brown sausage well for deeper flavor.’, ‘Use whole milk mozzarella for creamier melt and better browning.’, ‘Let the dish rest 5-10 minutes after baking to set.’, ‘If sauce is too thick before baking, add a splash of pasta water or milk.’, ‘Tent with foil if cheese browns too quickly near the end of baking.’, ‘Ricotta can be substituted with blended cottage cheese if needed.’, ‘For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and check marinara sauce ingredients.’, ‘Vegetarian option: omit sausage and add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, cheesy crust, comfort food, pasta bake, easy dinner, family meal

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/comforting-baked-ziti-with-italian-sausage-easy-cheesy-crust-recipe/