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Creamy Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Ricotta

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A comforting baked pasta dish featuring tender ziti, savory Italian sausage, and creamy ricotta dollops, perfect for easy weeknight dinners or cozy family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ziti pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 pound (450 g) Italian sausage, casings removed (sweet or mild preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 28 oz (800 g) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups (375 g) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 lb (450 g) ziti and cook until just al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Drain well and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 pound (450 g) Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes.
  4. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Toss in minced garlic and cook for another minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
  5. Pour in the 28 oz (800 g) can of crushed tomatoes and stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste. Season with 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper to taste.
  6. Let the sauce simmer gently on low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. In a large bowl, mix the cooked ziti with about two-thirds of the sauce until well coated.
  8. Spread half of the pasta mixture into your baking dish. Use a spoon to dollop half of the ricotta cheese evenly over the pasta.
  9. Add the remaining pasta, then spoon the rest of the ricotta dollops on top. Pour the remaining sauce over everything.
  10. Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan evenly over the assembled dish.
  11. Place in the oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown around the edges.
  12. Once baked, let the ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; it will finish cooking in the oven. Brown sausage well for better flavor. Dollop ricotta in small spoonfuls to create creamy pockets. Let baked ziti rest before serving. For extra golden cheese, broil for last 2-3 minutes watching carefully. Sauce can be simmered longer if too watery before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, ricotta, comfort food, creamy pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal

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