Easy Baked Ziti with Sausage
User Reviews
4.4
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
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Servings
6 to 8 servings
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Calories
604 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Easy Baked Ziti with Sausage
Description
This recipe involves cooking ziti pasta until al dente and browning sweet Italian sausage separately. The cooked sausage and pasta are mixed with your favorite spaghetti sauce, half the Romano cheese, and diced mozzarella. This mixture is transferred to a greased baking dish and topped with the remaining Romano cheese and shredded mozzarella to create a cheesy crust.
The dish is baked covered to heat thoroughly and melt cheeses, then uncovered at a higher temperature to brown the cheese topping. The combination of sausage and cheeses enriches the flavor while the baked pasta absorbs the sauce, creating a balanced and hearty casserole. The soft pasta contrasted with melted, slightly crisped mozzarella delivers a pleasing texture.
This recipe can serve as a main course for casual dinners or gatherings. It also works well for make-ahead meals — it can be refrigerated or frozen before baking and then heated later, simplifying preparation. Nutritional values are based on one serving, assisting with portion control.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage sweet
- 3 cups spaghetti sauce your favorite
- 1 cup Romano cheese grated, divided
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese diced small (¼-inch)
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish; set aside.
- Cook pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain and put into a large bowl.
- While the pasta is boiling, cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until cooked through.
- Remove the sausage from the pan with a slotted spoon and add to the bowl with the pasta.
- Toss the pasta and sausage with the sauce, sausage, ½ cup of the Romano cheese, and the diced mozzarella.
- Pour the mixture into the baking dish, sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup Romano cheese and the shredded mozzarella. (Make-Ahead Note: At this point, you can tightly cover the pan with foil and refrigerate for up to one day or freeze for up to 3 months. If frozen, place in the refrigerator the day before you plan to bake and then bake according to the directions below.)
- Bake, covered, for 45 minutes, until heated through and the cheese is melted. Uncover, increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees F, and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until sauce and cheese are bubbling.
Notes
- Nutrition facts correspond to one serving to help with meal planning.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6to 8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 604 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 604kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 31g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 89mg | 30% |
| Sodium | 1115mg | 46% |
| Potassium | 617mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 735IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 7.6mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 382mg | 38% |
| Iron | 2.6mg | 14% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.4
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