Baked Ziti
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
8
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Calories
738 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Baked Ziti
Description
This Baked Ziti recipe combines al dente ziti pasta with a sausage-infused tomato sauce enriched by heavy cream. The sauce mixture features sautéed Italian sausage and onions, flavored with garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes for a subtle spice contrast. Crushed tomatoes give the sauce a robust base, balanced by the addition of sugar to cut acidity.
The prepared pasta is layered with ricotta cheese, then topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses before baking to create a golden, bubbly crust. This layering technique offers a creamy interior with a lightly crisp, cheesy top. The casserole is baked at 375°F until hot throughout, developing rich flavors that meld together during baking.
Baked Ziti can be garnished with chopped parsley or basil for a fresh touch and served as a filling main course. The recipe allows for using ground sausage or removing sausage meat from casings, and it notes that omitting the ricotta still yields a tasty dish.
Use ground sausage or meat removed from sausage casings, up to 1.5 pounds, for this recipe.The white sugar balances acidity in the canned crushed tomatoes but can be omitted if preferred.Substituting the heavy cream is not recommended; tomato-based liquids cause curdling.Ricotta can be skipped, but the texture and flavor will be different without it.For detailed photos and extra tips, including make-ahead instructions, see the original recipe post.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta or penne pasta, uncooked
- 1 pound Italian sausage see note
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, crushed
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream aka whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon white sugar see note
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- parsley optional, for serving, chopped
- basil optional, for serving, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375F and move the rack to the top third of the oven. Boil a salted pot of water and cook the ziti for 2-3 minutes less than package directions indicate. Drain and set aside once it's done.
- Meanwhile, add the sausage meat and onion to another pot and cook until browned (about 7-10 minutes), stirring occasionally.
- Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to the pot and cook for about a minute.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, cream, salt & pepper, and sugar. Let it heat through (about 5 minutes).
- Drain the pasta, add it to the pot with the sauce, and toss.
- Add half the pasta mixture to a 9x13 casserole dish (spread it out evenly to create your bottom layer).
- Spoon the ricotta over the pasta for the cheesy middle layer (you don't need to be too neat... I just put dollops here and there).
- Spoon the remaining pasta into the casserole dish to create an even top layer (I don't stir it).
- Sprinkle the parmesan and mozzarella over top.
- Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes (or until hot & bubbly), and then broil (watch it closely) to brown the cheese.
- Serve with some fresh basil and/or parsley if desired.
Notes
- Ground sausage or casing-removed meat up to 1.5 pounds works for the sausage component.
- Adding sugar helps reduce tomato acidity, but you may omit it if desired.
- Do not replace heavy cream with tomato liquids as this may cause curdling.
- Omitting ricotta will change the dish but it remains enjoyable.
- Refer to the recipe source for step-by-step photos and make-ahead suggestions.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 738 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 738kcal | 37% |
| Carbohydrates | 55g | 18% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 43g | 66% |
| Saturated Fat | 22g | 110% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Cholesterol | 131mg | 44% |
| Sodium | 1098mg | 46% |
| Potassium | 679mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1095IU | 22% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 422mg | 42% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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