Easy Baked Ziti
User Reviews
4.8
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
55 mins
-
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
-
Servings
8
-
Calories
676 kcal
-
Course
Main Course, Dinner
Easy Baked Ziti
Description
This baked ziti starts with browning ground Italian sausage until crispy edges develop, then sautéing diced yellow onion until softened. Tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and water are added and simmered to build a flavorful sauce. Meanwhile, salted water cooks the pasta until tender before draining.
The cooked pasta is combined with the ricotta, the simmered sausage-tomato sauce, and black pepper, then layered in a casserole dish. It’s topped with an Italian cheese blend and shredded mozzarella, which melt and brown in the oven, creating a golden crust. Parsley garnish adds a fresh note.
The dish balances rich, savory meat sauce with creamy cheese and tender pasta. It’s suitable for a casual family dinner or hearty potluck contribution. Substitutions for the cheese blend include combining mozzarella with Parmesan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Italian sausage $4.99, ground; sweet, mild, or hot
- 1 yellow onion $0.27
- 3 oz. tomato paste $0.50
- 1 oz. can crushed tomatoes $1.89
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning blend $0.30
- 1/2 cup water $0.00
- 1 lb. ziti pasta $1.67
- 1/2 Tbsp salt $0.05, for pasta water
- 15 oz. ricotta cheese $3.39
- 1 cup Italian cheese blend $1.24
- 1/4 tsp black pepper $0.05, freshly cracked
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese $2.29, shredded
- 1 handful parsley $0.20, chopped; optional for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the sausage in a large skillet or pot over medium heat, until it's brown and crispy on the edges (pork sausage contains a lot of fat, so I didn't add any extra to the skillet).
- While the sausage is browning, finely dice the onion. Add the onion to the skillet once the sausage has browned, and continue to sauté over medium heat until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and ½ cup water to the skillet with the sausage and stir to combine. Place a lid on the skillet and allow it to come up to a simmer. Once simmering, turn the heat down and allow it to continue to simmer while you cook the ziti. Stir the sauce occasionally as it simmers.
- After getting the sauce started, begin the ziti. Bring a large pot of water with ½ Tbsp salt to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the ziti, and let it continue to boil until tender (about 7-8 minutes). Drain the pasta in a colander. Shake the colander a bit to shake excess water out of the pasta.
- While the pasta and sauce are cooking, prepare the cheese filling. Add the ricotta, Italian cheese blend, and some freshly cracked black pepper (about 10 cranks of a pepper mill) to a bowl and stir to combine. Begin to preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- After draining the ziti, return it to the pot and add 1 cup of the red sauce. Stir to coat the cooked pasta in sauce.
- Pour half of the ziti to a 9x13" baking dish. Add half of the ricotta mixture on top of the pasta in small dollops. Finally, spoon half of the red sauce and sausage over the pasta and ricotta. It's okay if the ingredients don't cover in a solid layer. Repeat these layers with the second half of the pasta, ricotta mixture, and sauce. Finally, top with 2 cups shredded mozzarella.
- Cover the baking dish with foil, making sure it's slightly tented so that it doesn't touch or stick to the melted cheese. Transfer the covered casserole to the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- After baking for 20 minutes, remove the foil, and turn the oven on to broil (keep the casserole on the middle rack, about 10-12 inches from the broiler). Broil for 5 minutes, or just until the cheese is slightly browned. Keep a close eye on the baked ziti as it broils, because broilers can vary in intensity. Top with chopped parsley, if desired, then serve.
Notes
- You can substitute the Italian cheese blend with a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese as needed.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 676 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1Serving | |
| Calories | 676kcal | 34% |
| Carbohydrates | 56g | 19% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 36g | 55% |
| Sodium | 881mg | 37% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
You'll Also Love
