4.7 from 9 votes
Olive Garden Neapolitan Ziti
Bring back this Olive Garden classic with perfectly cooked ziti pasta, Italian sausage, and bell peppers in a rich San Marzano tomato sauce!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings:
8
Calories:
646 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds Italian sausage
- 1 1/3 cups green bell pepper chopped
- 6 tablespoons olive oil divided use
- 28 ounces Italian-style tomatoes canned, or plum tomatoes
- 10 3/4 ounces tomato puree
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1/2 cup basil fresh
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 3/4 pound ziti pasta prepared according to the package directions
- 5 cups marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Bake or pan-fry the sausages until fully cooked; drain and cool. Halve the sausages lengthwise and cut them into 1/2-inch slices.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the bell peppers in 2 tablespoons olive oil until they are no longer crisp, but not yet soft.
- In a heavy saucepan, combine the tomatoes, tomato puree, garlic, 4 tablespoons of olive oil, and fresh basil and bring to a light simmer over medium heat. Add the sautéed peppers and cooked sausage and let simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Serve the pasta topped with the sausage, peppers, and marinara sauce and garnish each plate with parsley and Parmesan.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- 🍅 Tomato technique! Crush tomatoes by hand rather than blending for the perfect chunky texture that makes this sauce special.
- 🌿 Basil boost! Tear basil leaves rather than chopping to release more oils and flavor into your sauce.
- 🍝 Pasta pro move! Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water before draining to help the sauce cling to the pasta if needed.
Nutrition Information
Calories
646kcal
(32%)
Carbohydrates
52g
(17%)
Protein
23g
(46%)
Fat
39g
(60%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Cholesterol
66mg
(22%)
Sodium
1619mg
(67%)
Potassium
1328mg
(28%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
14g
(28%)
Vitamin A
1350IU
(27%)
Vitamin C
47.3mg
(53%)
Calcium
128mg
(13%)
Iron
5.3mg
(29%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 646
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 646kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | 17% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Cholesterol | 66mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 1619mg | 67% |
| Potassium | 1328mg | 28% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 14g | 28% |
| Vitamin A | 1350IU | 27% |
| Vitamin C | 47.3mg | 53% |
| Calcium | 128mg | 13% |
| Iron | 5.3mg | 29% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.