5 from 18 votes
Baked Ziti
This Baked Ziti recipe features pasta mixed with a creamy tomato sauce including Italian sausage, garlic, basil, and a blend of cheeses. The sauce combines crushed tomatoes with heavy cream, seasoning, and fresh herbs for a rich and balanced flavor. Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses provide a golden, bubbly topping after baking. The dish is baked until the cheese is lightly browned and the flavors meld for a comforting pasta casserole.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Additional Time
5 mins
Servings:
8
Calories:
559 kcal
Course:
Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ziti pasta
- 1 to 1 1/2 lbs. Italian sausage
- 4 garlic minced, cloves
- 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 8 basil chopped, fresh leaves
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated, or pecorino romano cheese
- 2 to 3 cups mozzarella cheese grated whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Generously salt the water. Cook according to package instructions. Make the sauce while pasta is cooking. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook sausage until completely cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.
- Add crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil. Cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. Stir in heavy cream.
- Spread a thin layer of the sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Toss the cooked pasta with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and stir.
- Sprinkle the top with grated mozzarella cheese. Cook for 20-24 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and lightly golden. Cover with foil if the cheese becomes too brown. *Tip -- spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray to keep the cheese from sticking to it.
- Remove from the oven and let sit for at least 5 minutes to allow it to set up. Serve warm.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You can substitute penne, mostaccioli, or rigatoni pasta if you prefer.
- For similar flavor, dried basil can replace fresh basil by using 1 teaspoon.
- Adding spoonfuls of marinara sauce on top before baking enhances fresh tomato flavor.
Nutrition Information
Calories
559kcal
(28%)
Carbohydrates
49g
(16%)
Protein
30g
(60%)
Fat
26g
(40%)
Saturated Fat
14g
(70%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Cholesterol
101mg
(34%)
Sodium
1396mg
(58%)
Potassium
382mg
(8%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
846IU
(17%)
Vitamin C
27mg
(30%)
Calcium
325mg
(33%)
Iron
9mg
(50%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 559
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 559kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 101mg | 34% |
| Sodium | 1396mg | 58% |
| Potassium | 382mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 846IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 27mg | 30% |
| Calcium | 325mg | 33% |
| Iron | 9mg | 50% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.