Description
Italian Sausage Baked Ziti is a comforting and satisfying dish that combines the robust flavors of savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and layers of gooey melted cheese. This crowd-pleasing recipe is perfect for family dinners or gatherings, offering an easy way to feed a hungry group. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have this delicious baked ziti on the table in no time. Plus, this dish is freezer-friendly, making it ideal for meal prep or busy weeknights when you need a quick and hearty meal.
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 your oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the ziti in salted boiling water until al dente, about one minute less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage with olive oil, then add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and red pepper flakes; let simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the sausage mixture until well coated.
- Layer half of the pasta in the baking dish, sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Pecorino Romano cheeses. Repeat with the remaining pasta and top with leftover cheeses.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until bubbly. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 70mg