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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
15 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 chopped green bell pepper
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil divided use
  • 28 ounces canned Italian-style or plum tomatoes
  • 10 3/4 ounces tomato puree
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic 
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3/4 pound Ziti pasta prepared according to the package directions
  • 5 cups marinara sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bake or pan-fry the sausages until fully cooked; drain and cool. Halve the sausages lengthwise and cut them into 1/2-inch slices.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Serve the pasta topped with the sausage, peppers, and marinara sauce and garnish each plate with parsley and Parmesan.

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 (38%) 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: 8Serving

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.