Description
This classic Baked Ziti recipe features tender pasta baked with a savory Italian sausage and rich tomato sauce, layered with creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses for the ultimate comforting casserole. Perfect for family dinners or easy entertaining, it delivers hearty Italian-American flavors with a cheesy, bubbly top and a golden finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Meat & Sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed), or ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking the meat apart with a spoon. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another minute.
- Add tomato and seasonings: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir in dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend the flavors.
- Mix the cheese filling: In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with the egg, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti over the sauce. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta, then spoon half of the remaining sauce on top. Repeat the layers with the rest of the pasta, ricotta mixture, and sauce.
- Add final cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan evenly over the assembled layers.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden brown.
- Rest and serve: Remove from oven and let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a fresh finish.
Notes
- For a meatless version, omit the sausage and substitute with sautéed vegetables such as zucchini or mushrooms.
- You can prepare the casserole a day in advance, refrigerate it assembled, and bake just before serving.
