Baked Ziti
Comfort food, anyone? This hearty Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Ricotta is a comforting, cheesy pasta bake layered with rich tomato sauce, savory sausage, and creamy ricotta cheese. Serve with a simple salad and garlic bread and you’ve got a meal!
Ingredients
1 pound ziti pasta
1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot, casings removed)
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1–2 teaspoons sugar (to taste)
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded Italian blend cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: chopped parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Boil the ziti according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, Italian seasoning, and sugar. Simmer for 10–15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a small bowl, stir the ricotta with a pinch of salt and pepper. You can also mix in a bit of the shredded cheese or Italian seasoning if you like extra flavor.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti with about two-thirds of the sauce and 1 cup of mozzarella.
In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spread half of the ziti mixture.
Spoon dollops of ricotta cheese evenly across the top.
Sprinkle with half of the Italian blend cheese.
Layer with the remaining ziti mixture and top with the rest of the sauce.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Italian blend cheese on top.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
Let stand for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
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Regina is a writer, homeschooling mom, and owner of a soul food catering business. She is the host of the Pray to Play podcast, where she shares practical tips and heartfelt advice for parents navigating the busy world of athletics. A contributor to several publications, including Tracie Miles' Living Unbroken book study, she is also an advocate for young adults with developmental disabilities and serves on the Compel Pro volunteer leadership team. Living in Ohio with her family, she designs Squarespace websites for fellow creatives and spends her free time cheering her sons from the sidelines or sipping tea while chatting with women about God’s goodness.
