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Comforting Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and 5-Step Homemade Marinara

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A soul-soothing baked ziti featuring Italian sausage and a fresh homemade marinara sauce made in five simple steps. This easy, comforting dish is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed (mild or spicy)
  • 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta (penne or rigatoni can be used)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces (800g) canned crushed tomatoes (San Marzano-style recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
  • 2 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese (about 200g)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese (250g)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50g)
  • A few tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta and cook until just al dente, about 9 minutes. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Transfer sausage to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat.
  3. In the same skillet, add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens. Stir in fresh basil just before turning off heat.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, browned sausage, and marinara sauce. Add ricotta cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella. Stir gently to combine, ensuring pasta is well coated.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer pasta mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; it will finish cooking in the oven. Brown sausage well for caramelized flavor. Simmer marinara sauce for at least 15 minutes for best flavor. Let baked ziti rest 5 minutes before serving. For a crispier top, broil for last 2 minutes watching closely. Make-ahead friendly: assemble a day ahead and refrigerate, then bake before serving adding a few extra minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, homemade marinara, comfort food, easy dinner, pasta bake, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://evabake.com/comforting-baked-ziti-with-italian-sausage-and-5-step-homemade-marinara-recipe/