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Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage

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A comforting baked ziti with Italian sausage, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese, perfect for a quick and easy homemade meal that brings nostalgic flavors to your table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta (or penne as a substitute)
  • Salt (for boiling water)
  • 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed (mild or spicy depending on preference)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 (28-ounce/800g) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 15 ounces (425g) ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease your 9×13 baking dish lightly with olive oil or non-stick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound (450g) of ziti pasta and cook for 8-9 minutes until just al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Crumble and cook the Italian sausage until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Break it apart well with a spoon.
  5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, add oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Let it simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, grated Parmesan, and 1 cup (100g) of shredded mozzarella. Mix gently until smooth and creamy.
  7. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta with the sausage tomato sauce, then gently fold in the ricotta mixture until evenly distributed.
  8. Pour half of this mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle a layer of mozzarella (about 1/2 cup / 50g) over the pasta layer.
  9. Pour the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
  10. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
  11. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta as it will finish cooking in the oven. Brown the sausage well for depth of flavor. Use fresh garlic and herbs for best aroma. Mix cheese gently to avoid graininess. If cheese browns too quickly, tent with foil halfway through baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, homemade meal

Find it online: https://blingbite.com/baked-ziti-with-italian-sausage-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-meal/