Baked Ziti

This Baked Ziti pasta casserole is loaded with Italian Sausage, marinara, ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese all baked to a hot luscious gooey delight. Serve with a simple garden salad and crusty French bread.

Course main meal pasta

Cuisine Italian

Keyword baked ziti, baked ziti casserole, baked ziti pasta, baked ziti with ricotta, baked ziti with sausage, easy baked ziti, how to make baked ziti

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Total Time 45

Servings servings

Calories 652kcal

Author Beth Pierce

Ingredients

1 pound Italian sausage
1 small onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
32 ounces marinara sauce or pasta sauce
kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 pound ziti pasta
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian Parsley
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 egg
Chopped fresh parsley or basil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Bring a pot of water to a boil.
In a large sauté pan over medium heat brown the Italian sausage breaking it up as you go. Add the chopped onion; cook for 3-4 minutes. Reduce heat, add garlic, dried oregano and basil; cook for 1 minute. Drain any excess grease. Add the marinara sauce and simmer for 10 minutes. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
Once the water boils cook pasta al dente and drain well. In a medium bowl stir together the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, parsley, black pepper, and the egg.
In a 13 x 9 inch casserole dish spread a thin layer of the sauce mixture. Top with half of the ziti pasta. Then top with half of the sauce mixture and the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with the remaining pasta and the rest of the sauce. Top with the remaining mozzarella.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or fresh basil.

Notes

Cook the ziti pasta al dente which means slightly firm. Pasta packaging includes cooking times for firm noodles. This is advised as the pasta will be baked and no on wants soggy noodles.
Purchase good quality Italian sausage. My butcher sells it freshly ground and mixed with fresh spices. It adds such great flavor.
Drain any excess grease from the sausage. It takes just a minute and it is healthier.
I use my favorite jarred marinara but any good quality red pasta sauce will work as well. If you have the time homemade is even better.
Always use good quality mozzarella and Parmesan. Freshly shredded and grated cheese adds so much flavor without any added preservatives or anti-clumping ingredients.
Do not over bake the pasta as you do not want to dry it out. Cook just until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.

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