Description
A hearty, one-dish comfort food featuring al dente ziti pasta, rich Italian sausage meat sauce, and a gooey blend of mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and freezes beautifully.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup red wine (or beef broth/water)
- 1 pound ziti pasta (or penne/rigatoni)
- 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti pasta until al dente (about 1 minute less than package directions). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Do not rinse pasta.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Remove sausage and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté diced onion for 3 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to caramelize. Add crushed tomatoes and red wine (or broth), scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if too thick.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine drained pasta, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. Mix gently to coat evenly.
- Pour half the mixture into a 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella. Add remaining mixture and spread evenly. Top with remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Turn on the broiler for the last 5 minutes to create a crispy, golden cheese crust. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Let the ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.
Notes
Shred your own cheese for better melting. Do not overcook the pasta as it will continue to cook in the oven. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes after baking to ensure it holds together when served. Can be frozen unbaked for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, cheesy pasta, family dinner, comfort food, easy recipe, meal prep, freezer friendly