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Comforting Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Italian Sausage

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A hearty and creamy baked ziti featuring Italian sausage, ricotta, and a rich tomato sauce, perfect for family dinners and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta (penne works too in a pinch)
  • Salt for pasta water
  • 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed (mild or spicy depending on preference)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces (800g) canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves, chopped (about 1/4 cup), optional
  • 15 ounces (425g) ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Extra shredded mozzarella and Parmesan for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound (450g) of ziti pasta and cook until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain well and set aside without rinsing.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink and slightly browned, about 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Pour in crushed tomatoes, then stir in oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Let sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes. Stir in fresh basil if using.
  6. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, beaten egg, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir until creamy and smooth. Add a tablespoon or two of milk if mixture is too thick.
  7. Toss the drained ziti into the sauce until evenly coated.
  8. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half the sauced pasta evenly. Dollop half the ricotta mixture over it in spoonfuls. Repeat with remaining pasta and cheese mixture, gently folding together but leaving some pockets of ricotta visible.
  9. Sprinkle extra shredded mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and edges are slightly browned.
  11. Let the baked ziti rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushy texture after baking. Simmer sauce to thicken if watery. Rest baked ziti for 5 minutes before serving for better texture. Cover with foil if top browns too fast during baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, ricotta, Italian sausage, pasta bake, comfort food, family dinner, easy recipe

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/comforting-baked-ziti-with-ricotta-and-italian-sausage-easy-recipe-for-family-dinner/