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Savory Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Italian Sausage

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A creamy and comforting baked ziti recipe featuring ricotta cheese and Italian sausage, perfect for easy weeknight dinners or crowd-pleasing gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ziti pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 pound (450 g) Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 ½ cups (375 g) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 3 cups (700 ml) marinara sauce
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 1 pound (450 g) of ziti until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound (450 g) of Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
  4. In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and add 1 finely chopped onion. Cook until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  5. Return the browned sausage to the pan and pour in 3 cups (700 ml) of marinara sauce. Stir to combine and heat through, about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti with 1 ½ cups (375 g) of ricotta cheese, stirring gently to coat the pasta.
  7. Add the sausage and marinara mixture to the ricotta-coated pasta and fold gently until evenly combined. Transfer half the mixture to a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup (100 g) of shredded mozzarella and a bit of freshly chopped basil over the layer. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then finish with the remaining mozzarella and ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan.
  8. Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown in spots.
  9. Let the baked ziti rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta as it will continue cooking in the oven. Use whole milk ricotta for best creamy texture. Brown the sausage well and season every layer for best flavor. Let the dish rest before serving for better texture. Tent with foil if cheese browns too quickly.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, ricotta, Italian sausage, comfort food, easy dinner, pasta bake, mozzarella, marinara sauce

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/savory-baked-ziti-with-ricotta-and-italian-sausage-easy-recipe-for-perfect-dinner/