Baked Ziti
User Reviews
4.7
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
45 mins
-
Total Time
1 hr
-
Servings
8 servings
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
Italian
Baked Ziti
Description
Baked Ziti brings together ground Italian sausage and al dente ziti pasta, enveloped in a blend of marinara sauce, cottage cheese, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh basil. The mixture is enriched with a creamy sauce made from heavy cream, cornstarch, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, which thickens gently on the stove before blending through the cheese and meat mixture. Baking at 350°F allows the flavors to meld and the top to develop a lightly golden crust from reserved cheeses. The resulting casserole offers a combination of tender pasta, savory sausage, and a creamy, herb-scented sauce.
The sausage adds a meaty depth while the cheeses provide creaminess and mild tang, balanced by the acidity of the marinara. The use of cottage cheese adds moisture and a soft texture, and the fresh basil enhances the herbal notes. This dish can be served as a main course for family meals or casual entertaining.
If desired, garlic cloves can be added while browning the sausage to increase garlic aroma, especially if your marinara sauce is lighter on garlic. The casserole freezes well for up to one month in a sealed container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and baking according to the initial instructions. Variations include using rigatoni or penne pasta as substitutes for ziti.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage ground
- 1 lb ziti pasta rigatoni or penne can also be used
- 1 (24-26 ounce) jar marinara sauce (I like Rao's brand)
- 16 ounces cottage cheese (1% fat)
- 1 1/2 /2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 1/4 /4 cup Parmesan Cheese divided, grated
- 2 large egg
- 1/4 /4 cup basil more for the top, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 /2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. The next two steps can be done at the same time (cooking the pasta in one pot and the sausage in another).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boiling. Add about 1 tablespoon of salt and the pasta. Cook pasta about 5 minutes or to al dente (it will continue to cook in the oven). Drain in a colander.
- In a large skillet, brown sausage. Drain and cool.
- While pasta and sausage are cooking, in a large bowl, add 1 cup of the marinara sauce, the cottage cheese, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese, 1 cup Parmesan cheese (save 1/4 cup for the top), eggs, and basil. Add the sausage when it is done cooking.
- In the same pot as the pasta or sausage (whichever pan is done being used first), add the heavy cream, cornstarch, garlic powder, and Italian seasonings and whisk together. Cook over medium heat until thickened about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir into cottage cheese and meat sauce mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the pasta to the cottage cheese mixture and mix well. Pour into a 9x13 baking dish. Spread remaining marinara sauce on top. Top with remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with more basil and serve.
Notes
- Add fresh garlic cloves when cooking sausage if a stronger garlic flavor is preferred, depending on your marinara sauce's garlic level.
- This baked ziti freezes well for up to one month when stored in a tightly sealed dish; thaw in the refrigerator before baking.
- Rigatoni or penne pasta can be used instead of ziti with similar results.
- The recipe was adapted for a richer cream sauce by including cornstarch and substituting shredded mozzarella for cubed.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
You'll Also Love
