Description
This classic Baked Ziti with Sausage is a hearty and comforting Italian-American casserole featuring tender pasta, flavorful Italian sausage, a rich tomato sauce studded with garlic, onion, carrot, and celery, and a creamy blend of ricotta and melted mozzarella cheeses. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, this dish combines layers of savory sausage sauce and cheesy pasta baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 (16-oz) box ziti, cooked, drained (reserve 1/2 cup cooking water) and cooled
Sauce
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 large onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large carrot, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 stick celery, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 (14-oz) jars tomato basil sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or softened cream cheese or a mix)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4-8 tablespoons reserved pasta cooking water
Topping
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then set the pasta aside to cool.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, cook the ground Italian sausage until browned and cooked through, breaking it up into crumbles. Add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrot, and celery to the pan. Sauté until the vegetables soften, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and Italian seasoning and cook for another 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavors.
- Add Tomato Sauce and Simmer: Pour in the two jars of tomato basil sauce, stirring to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer gently for about 15 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Mix Cheese and Pasta: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese (or cream cheese mixture) with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add 4-8 tablespoons of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen the mixture slightly for better consistency. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled cooked ziti with the cheese mixture and half of the prepared sausage tomato sauce, stirring gently to coat the pasta evenly.
- Assemble and Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture evenly. Spoon the remaining sausage tomato sauce over the pasta, then layer the rest of the pasta on top. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the Italian sausage with ground turkey or beef for a leaner option.
- Adding reserved pasta water to the cheese mixture helps keep the sauce creamy and well combined.
- Feel free to add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicier kick.
- Leftovers reheat well and can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and add sautéed mushrooms or extra vegetables instead.
