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Savory Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe with Italian Sausage and Mozzarella Pull Made Easy

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A comforting baked ziti layered with spicy Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and fresh mozzarella chunks that create an irresistible cheesy pull. Perfect for quick, hearty dinners that impress without fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, sweet or spicy, casings removed
  • 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta, cooked al dente
  • 4 cups (950ml) marinara sauce, homemade or store-bought
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 8 ounces (225g) fresh mozzarella, torn into chunks
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil or Italian seasoning, chopped or dried
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound (450g) of ziti pasta and cook until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until no pink remains and starting to brown, about 7-8 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, basil or Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, stir together cooked pasta, browned sausage mixture, marinara sauce, and ricotta mixture. Mix gently to coat evenly without breaking the pasta.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour half the pasta mixture into the dish. Scatter half of the torn fresh mozzarella over the layer. Add remaining pasta mixture on top, then top with remaining fresh mozzarella chunks and shredded mozzarella.
  6. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling and golden brown. Watch closely to avoid over-browning.
  7. Let baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.

Notes

Slightly undercook pasta to prevent mushiness after baking. Browning sausage well adds depth of flavor. Use fresh mozzarella chunks for best cheese pull effect. Cover dish during initial baking to keep pasta moist, then uncover to brown cheese. Let rest before serving for better texture. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For lighter version, substitute part of ricotta with cottage cheese. Variations include vegetarian with sautéed vegetables or dairy-free with vegan cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, mozzarella pull, comfort food, easy dinner, pasta bake, cheesy pasta, Italian recipe

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/savory-million-dollar-baked-ziti-recipe-with-italian-sausage-and-mozzarella-pull-made-easy/