If you have a craving for Italian comfort food that’s hearty, cheesy, and packed with flavor, you are going to adore this Easy Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta Recipe. It’s a delightful combination of tender pasta, savory Italian sausage, luscious ricotta, and bubbling mozzarella cheese all baked to golden perfection. This dish is straightforward enough for a weeknight meal but impressive enough to serve guests. Just imagine sinking your fork into layers of creamy ricotta and rich tomato sauce studded with sausage—it’s pure, satisfying bliss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Easy Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta Recipe is simple yet essential to achieving that perfect harmony of flavors and textures. From the savory sausage to the creamy ricotta and vibrant tomato sauce, each element plays a crucial role in making this dish unforgettable.
- Ground Italian sausage (1 lb): Choose sweet, mild, or hot depending on your preferred spice level for a robust, meaty base.
- Yellow onion (1, finely diced): Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed with sausage.
- Tomato paste (3 oz): Intensifies the tomato flavor, giving the sauce a rich, concentrated taste.
- Crushed tomatoes (1 28 oz can): Forms the hearty, chunky foundation of the sauce.
- Italian seasoning blend (1 tablespoon): A mix of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that brings authentic Italian notes.
- Water (½ cup): Helps balance the sauce consistency and keeps it from getting too thick.
- Ziti pasta (1 lb): Perfect shape to hold onto sauce and cheese beautifully after baking.
- Salt (½ tablespoon for pasta water): Enhances the pasta’s flavor as it cooks.
- Ricotta cheese (15 oz): Creamy and mild, it adds a luscious, velvety texture to the layers.
- Italian cheese blend (1 cup): Typically mozzarella and Parmesan, blending meltiness and flavor for the cheese filling.
- Freshly cracked black pepper (¼ teaspoon): Adds a subtle kick of warmth to the cheese mixture.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups): Creates a golden, bubbly, irresistible cheese topping.
- Chopped parsley (a handful, optional): Freshens up the dish with a bright, herbal contrast.
How to Make Easy Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Sausage and Sauté Onion
Start by heating a large skillet or pot over medium heat and cook the ground Italian sausage until it’s beautifully browned and slightly crispy around the edges. While the sausage is cooking, finely dice the yellow onion and add it to the skillet once the sausage is ready. Sauté until the onion becomes tender and translucent—this combo creates a savory, aromatic base that’s the heart of your sauce.
Step 2: Build the Tomato Sauce
Next, stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and ½ cup of water to the skillet with your sausage and onion. Cover with a lid and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, reducing the heat to maintain a soft bubble. Let the sauce develop and thicken slightly while you prepare the pasta, stirring occasionally to keep those flavors marrying beautifully.
Step 3: Cook the Ziti Pasta
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and generously salt it with ½ tablespoon of salt. Add the ziti pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain the pasta well in a colander and get ready to combine it with the sauce.
Step 4: Mix the Cheesy Ricotta Filling
While the pasta and sauce finish cooking, combine the ricotta cheese, Italian cheese blend, and freshly cracked black pepper in a bowl. This creamy mixture will add unrivaled richness and creaminess as you layer your baked ziti. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350ºF to prepare for baking.
Step 5: Coat the Pasta in Sauce
Return the drained ziti to its pot, then add 1 cup of your simmered red sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat every piece of pasta with that delicious, savory sauce—it’s what makes each bite tender and flavorful from the inside out.
Step 6: Assemble the Layers
Pour half of the sauced ziti into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta, creating creamy pockets to enjoy in each serving. Spoon half of the remaining sausage and sauce over the ricotta. Repeat these layers one more time—pasta, ricotta, sauce—then top everything with 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, ensuring a golden, bubbly crust when baked.
Step 7: Bake Covered
Cover the baking dish with foil, making sure there’s some space so the foil doesn’t stick to the cheese as it melts. Bake in your preheated oven for 20 minutes. This part melds all the layers together and warms the dish thoroughly.
Step 8: Broil for the Perfect Finish
After the covered bake, remove the foil and switch your oven to broil. Broil for about 5 minutes until the mozzarella on top gets beautifully browned and slightly bubbly. Watch closely so it doesn’t burn! Garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh burst of color and flavor right before serving.
How to Serve Easy Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta Recipe
Garnishes
This baked ziti is incredibly tasty on its own, but sprinkling fresh parsley on top adds a pretty pop of green and a bright, herbal freshness that balances the hearty cheese and sauce. You might also consider a light drizzle of good olive oil or a few red pepper flakes for those who love a little heat.
Side Dishes
Pair your Easy Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta Recipe with crisp green salads like an arugula or Caesar salad for some crunch and freshness. Garlic bread or warm focaccia are perfect for soaking up the extra sauce, making every mouthful even more indulgent.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this dish family-style in the baking dish at the table for that cozy, homey vibe, letting everyone dig in straight from the oven. For a more elegant presentation, scoop portions onto plates and garnish with a sprig of fresh basil or a Parmesan crisp for a restaurant-worthy touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover baked ziti stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors only deepen with time, making it a delicious meal to enjoy again with a quick reheat.
Freezing
If you want to make this Easy Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta Recipe ahead for a later date, it freezes well. Assemble the casserole but don’t bake it yet—cover tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as usual.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers covered in the oven at 350ºF until warmed through, about 20 minutes, to ensure the cheese melts perfectly again without drying out. Alternatively, microwave individual portions but add a splash of water and cover to keep it moist.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta instead of ziti?
Absolutely! Penne, rigatoni, or even macaroni work wonderfully since they also hold sauce well and melt cheese nicely. Just adjust cooking times as needed based on the pasta shape.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Simply omit the sausage and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or your favorite veggies to the sauce to keep it hearty and flavorful while maintaining the creamy ricotta layers.
Can I prepare this without an oven?
You could try assembling the baked ziti in a large skillet with a lid and simmering over low heat, but achieving that golden bubbly top is really an oven job. If possible, broiling for the final step is highly recommended for that perfect finish.
Should I use sweet, mild, or hot sausage?
That depends on your spice preference! Sweet sausage provides richness, mild offers gentle warmth, and hot sausage adds a spicy kick. Any choice works well and adjusts the flavor profile to your liking.
What’s the best way to prevent the pasta from sticking together?
Cooking the pasta until al dente and then tossing it immediately with some sauce before layering helps keep it separated and flavorful. Avoid rinsing the pasta, so it absorbs the sauce better.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta Recipe is a wonderful go-to for anyone craving a warm, cheesy, and satisfying meal. It’s approachable yet impressive, perfect for sharing with friends or family. Give it a try tonight—once you dig into that first gooey, savory bite, it’s sure to become one of your favorite comforting classics.
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Easy Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 8 servings 1x
Description
This easy baked ziti recipe features a deliciously savory Italian sausage and tomato sauce layered with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, this classic Italian-American pasta casserole is flavorful, hearty, and sure to please a crowd.
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (sweet, mild, or hot)
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 oz tomato paste
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning blend
- ½ cup water
Pasta
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- ½ tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
Cheese Mixture
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 cup Italian cheese blend (or a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
Garnish
- 1 handful chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the sausage and sauté onion: In a large skillet or pot over medium heat, brown the ground Italian sausage until it’s cooked through and crispy on the edges. While the sausage cooks, finely dice the yellow onion. Once the sausage is browned, add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Make the tomato sauce: To the skillet with sausage and onion, add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and ½ cup water. Stir everything together, cover with a lid, and bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce heat and let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally, while you prepare the pasta.
- Cook the ziti pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water (½ tablespoon salt) to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the ziti pasta and cook for about 7-8 minutes until al dente and tender. Drain the pasta well in a colander.
- Prepare the cheese filling and preheat oven: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Italian cheese blend, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir until well combined. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC).
- Mix pasta with sauce: Return the drained ziti to the pot and add 1 cup of the prepared red sauce. Stir gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Assemble the baked ziti: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the sauced pasta. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the pasta. Spoon half of the remaining red sauce with sausage on top. Repeat the layering with the remainder of the pasta, ricotta mixture, and sausage sauce. Finally, sprinkle the top with 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake covered: Cover the casserole dish with foil, tenting it slightly so it doesn’t stick to the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and cheese to melt.
- Broil for a golden finish: Remove the foil, turn the oven to broil, and broil the baked ziti for about 5 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Watch closely to prevent burning. Once done, remove from oven and garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can customize the sausage to be sweet, mild, or hot based on your spice preference.
- If you prefer, substitute ziti pasta with penne or rigatoni.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms or spinach.
- Use fresh grated cheeses for better melt and flavor.
- To avoid sticking, tent foil loosely over the baking dish rather than sealing tightly.
- Broiling time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on the cheese to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
