Description
This Cheesy Baked Ziti recipe is a comforting and hearty Italian-American casserole featuring tender ziti pasta baked in a flavorful sausage and marinara sauce, layered with creamy ricotta, grated Parmesan, and melted mozzarella cheeses. Perfect for family dinners, this dish combines savory meat, rich cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta baked to bubbly perfection in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 (1-pound) box ziti rigati (can substitute penne)
- 1 tablespoon salt
Sauce and Meat
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
- 2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 (8-ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prepare for baking.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring about 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large stockpot. Add 1 tablespoon salt, then stir in the ziti pasta and cook until just al dente, stirring occasionally. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce and Meat: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Crumble in the Italian sausage and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat from the meat mixture, then return the skillet to heat.
- Add Sauce and Seasoning: Stir in the marinara sauce and dried Italian seasoning into the sausage and onion mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Fold in the cooked pasta, ensuring it is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Layer the Pasta and Cheese: Spoon half of the pasta and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Stir the ricotta cheese in its container until smooth, then dollop it evenly over the pasta. Sprinkle the grated parmesan and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Add Remaining Layers: Add the remaining pasta mixture as a second layer in the baking dish. Top this layer with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the Ziti: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the casserole is heated through. For a browned, toasted cheese top, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes to set before serving. This allows the layers to firm up for easier slicing and serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the Italian sausage with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based sausage.
- You can prepare the dish a day ahead and refrigerate before baking; increase baking time slightly if baking straight from the refrigerator.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses for the best melting and flavor results.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta; it should be al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven.
- To enhance flavor, add fresh basil or parsley as garnish before serving.
