Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Italian Sausage Baked Ziti. This hearty dish features layers of savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and an irresistible blend of melted cheeses, creating a satisfying meal that’s perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners. With minimal prep time and the added bonus of being freezer-friendly, this baked ziti is ideal for busy lifestyles. Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters or serving guests, everyone will love this cheesy delight that brings warmth and joy to any table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz dried ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 32 oz marinara sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the ziti in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown the ground Italian sausage in olive oil. Drain excess fat.
- Add minced garlic and marinara sauce to the skillet; simmer for 10 minutes.
- Combine cooked pasta with the sausage mixture until evenly coated.
- Layer half of the pasta mixture in the baking dish, sprinkle with half of the cheeses, add remaining pasta, and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool for 5–10 minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (245g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg