Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Italian Sausage Baked Ziti, a crowd-pleasing dish that combines savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese. This easy-to-make baked pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings, delivering a satisfying meal that both kids and adults will love. With a prep time of just 10 minutes, you can have this hearty casserole ready to bake in no time. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly, allowing you to prepare meals in advance for those hectic days. Enjoy layers of flavor with every bite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz dried ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (hot or mild)
- 32 oz marinara sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup Pecorino Romano cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (for garnish)
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 1 minute less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet, then pour in marinara sauce and red pepper flakes. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Stir cooked pasta into the skillet until evenly coated with sauce.
- Layer half of the pasta mixture in the baking dish, sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Pecorino Romano cheeses, add remaining pasta, and top with remaining cheeses.
- Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool for 5–10 minutes before serving; garnish with fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 240g)
- Calories: 405
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg