Easy Baked Ziti with Sausage & Ricotta Recipe: A Cheesy Delight

Comfort meets culinary magic in this hearty baked ziti sausage ricotta dish that promises pure deliciousness.

Italian-inspired ingredients dance together in a creamy symphony of flavors.

Rich sausage nestles between layers of tender pasta and melted cheese.

Soft ricotta adds a luxurious texture that melts in your mouth.

Fragrant herbs and robust seasonings elevate each bite into a memorable experience.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Come hungry and ready to savor every delectable forkful.

Standout Qualities of Baked Ziti with Sausage & Ricotta

• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: Whip up this one-pan wonder that transforms basic ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal without complicated techniques or lengthy prep.
• Pack Flavor in Every Bite: Combine hearty Italian sausage, rich ricotta, and melted cheeses to create a comforting dish bursting with robust, satisfying flavors.
• Perfect for Family Gatherings: Serve up a generous casserole that feeds a hungry crowd, appeals to both kids and adults, and brings everyone together around the dinner table.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready, making it an ideal solution for busy households and meal planning.

Ingredients Needed for Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Sausage

• Italian Sausage: A flavorful meat that adds rich depth to the baked ziti.

• Ziti: A classic tube-shaped pasta that holds sauce perfectly and creates a hearty base for the dish.

• Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: A creamy and melty combination that provides richness and a classic Italian cheese flavor.

• Pasta Sauce, Diced Tomatoes: A tangy and robust base that adds moisture and traditional Italian taste to the dish.

• Onion, Fresh Parsley, Italian Seasoning: Ingredients that enhance the overall flavor profile with their aromatic and herbal qualities.

• Egg: Helps bind the ricotta cheese mixture and adds structure to the cheese layer.

• Water: Helps create the right sauce consistency and moisture for the dish.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the baked ziti.

Baked Ziti Cooking Steps for Cheesy Results

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375F and give a 9×13-inch baking dish a quick spray or butter rub to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Sizzle Sausage and Onions

Grab a skillet and cook Italian sausage with diced onions over medium heat.

Let the meat brown and release its delicious flavors.

Tip out any extra grease to keep things light.

Step 3: Build Flavor Base

• Pasta sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Water
• Italian seasoning

Let everything bubble and mingle for about 12 minutes, creating a rich, aromatic sauce.

Step 4: Boil Perfect Pasta

Fill a pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and cook ziti until it’s perfectly tender but still has a slight bite.

Drain thoroughly.

Step 5: Create Creamy Cheese Blend

• Ricotta cheese
• Beaten egg
• Fresh parsley
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Mix until smooth and well combined.

Step 6: Layer the Magic

Spread a cup of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.

Add half the ziti, spread all the ricotta mixture, then pour more sauce over top.

Step 7: Final Cheese Crown

Top with remaining ziti, sauce, and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Look for a bubbly, golden-brown top that promises deliciousness.

Tips for Perfectly Creamy Baked Ziti with Sausage

• Select high-quality Italian sausage for deeper, richer flavor and better overall taste.
• Cook ziti just until al dente to prevent mushy pasta after baking, ensuring perfect bite and consistency.
• Remove excess fat from sausage to prevent greasy dish and maintain balanced flavor profile.
• Mix ricotta with mozzarella and Parmesan for creamy texture and complex cheese flavor that enhances the entire dish.
• Cover with foil during first part of baking to retain moisture, then uncover to achieve golden brown top and crispy edges.

Baked Ziti Twists – Try Extra Veggies or Spice

• Vegetarian Ziti: Replace Italian sausage with plant-based ground meat or crumbled tofu, use vegetable broth instead of water, and add roasted bell peppers and zucchini for extra flavor and nutrition.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular ziti with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa, ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly preparation.
• Spicy Chorizo Swap: Substitute Italian sausage with spicy chorizo for a bold, smoky flavor profile, adding a touch of smoked paprika to enhance the heat and complexity of the dish.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta, reduce sauce quantity, and increase protein content with additional sausage or ground meat.

Presenting Baked Ziti for Family Dinners

• Cheesy Family Feast: Perfect for gathering loved ones around the dinner table, this ziti offers comfort and warmth with every delicious bite.
• Restaurant-Style Presentation: Serve in individual ceramic dishes with a sprinkle of fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese to elevate the dining experience.
• Game Night Special: Pair with crisp green salad and garlic bread to create a complete meal that satisfies hungry sports fans or movie watchers.
• Italian Potluck Winner: Prepare in advance, transport easily, and watch friends request seconds at community gatherings or neighborhood parties.

Keeping Baked Ziti with Sausage Fresh After Baking

• Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Transfer cooled ziti to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove excess air, seal carefully, and freeze for 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs

• Is baked ziti a traditional Italian dish?

Baked ziti actually originated in Italian-American cuisine, combining classic Italian ingredients with American cooking techniques, making it a popular comfort food in the United States.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute ziti with other similar tube-shaped pastas like penne or rigatoni, which will work well in this recipe and provide a similar texture.

• How do I prevent the dish from becoming too dry?

To keep the baked ziti moist, ensure you use enough sauce, don’t overcook the pasta, and cover the dish with foil for part of the baking time if it seems to be drying out too quickly.

Baked Ziti Sausage Ricotta Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian-American classic Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta delivers comfort straight from Mediterranean kitchens to dinner tables. Melted cheese, savory sausage, and rich pasta layers invite you to savor authentic flavors that promise pure culinary satisfaction.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) Italian sausage
• 16 ounces (454 grams) ziti pasta
• 15 ounces (425 grams) ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 28 ounces (794 grams) pasta or marinara sauce
• 14.5 ounces (411 grams) diced tomatoes with juices
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup water

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, crumble and brown the Italian sausage with finely diced onions until the meat is completely cooked and onions are translucent.
3. Drain excess grease from the sausage and onion mixture, then stir in pasta sauce, diced tomatoes with their liquid, water, and Italian seasoning. Allow the sauce to simmer and develop flavors for approximately 12 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, cook ziti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it reaches al dente texture. Quickly drain the pasta and set aside.
5. Create the cheese mixture by combining ricotta, beaten egg, freshly chopped parsley, one portion of mozzarella, and grated Parmesan in a mixing bowl until well incorporated.
6. Spread a thin layer of sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange half the cooked ziti, then evenly distribute the entire ricotta mixture over the pasta. Cover with half the remaining sauce.
7. Complete the layering by adding the remaining ziti, topping with the final sauce layer, and generously sprinkling the remaining mozzarella cheese.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden-brown crust with bubbling edges.

Notes

• Make Ahead Magic Prepare the entire casserole up to the baking stage, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking, which intensifies the flavors and makes meal prep easier.
• Customize Your Protein Swap Italian sausage for ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles to adapt the recipe to different dietary preferences or health goals.
• Gluten-Free Hack Replace ziti with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles to create a celiac-friendly version without compromising the rich, comforting taste of the dish.
• Veggie Boost Incorporate extra vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers into the sauce to increase nutritional value and add depth to the flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 610 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg