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Comforting Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Ricotta

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A quick and easy baked ziti recipe featuring Italian sausage, ricotta, and a blend of cheeses for a comforting family meal. Perfect for busy weeknights and crowd-pleasing dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta, cooked al dente (penne or rigatoni can substitute)
  • 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled (sweet or spicy)
  • 15 ounces (425g) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups (720ml) tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought marinara)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound of ziti pasta and cook until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add crumbled Italian sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan.
  3. In the same skillet, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Pour tomato sauce into the skillet with onions and garlic. Stir well, scraping up browned bits. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, browned sausage, ricotta cheese, and about half of the tomato sauce. Toss gently to coat evenly.
  6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the dish. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan over the layer.
  7. Repeat layering with remaining pasta mixture and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  8. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the top before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta to avoid mushiness after baking. Brown sausage well for caramelized flavor. Mix ricotta thoroughly into pasta while warm to create creamy pockets. Cover casserole during most of baking to retain moisture. Let rest 5 minutes before serving to thicken sauce and meld flavors. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta; for dairy-free, substitute ricotta with plant-based alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, ricotta, pasta bake, comfort food, family meal, easy dinner, cheesy pasta

Find it online: https://blipflavor.com/comforting-baked-ziti-with-italian-sausage-and-ricotta-easy-recipe-for-family-meals/