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Cozy Baked Ziti with Ricotta Sausage Mozzarella

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A quick and easy baked ziti recipe featuring creamy ricotta, savory Italian sausage, and melty mozzarella, perfect for a comforting family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ziti pasta or penne (regular or gluten-free)
  • Salt, for pasta water
  • 1 pound (450 g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casing removed)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz/800 g) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups (375 g) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound (450 g) of ziti and cook until al dente, about 9-10 minutes. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water, and set aside.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes. Remove excess fat if needed, leaving about 1 tablespoon for flavor.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the sausage and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10-15 minutes to blend flavors. If the sauce thickens too much, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and 1 cup (100 g) mozzarella. Stir until smooth and well mixed.
  7. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and sausage-tomato sauce. Add dollops of the ricotta cheese mixture and gently fold to distribute evenly.
  8. Transfer half of the pasta mixture to the greased baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the remaining mozzarella cheese. Layer the rest of the pasta on top and finish with the remaining mozzarella.
  9. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden on top. For extra crispness, broil for the last 2-3 minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning.
  10. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Notes

Resting the baked ziti after baking helps it set and makes serving easier. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Broil cheese topping carefully to avoid burning. For a leaner option, use turkey sausage; for vegetarian, omit sausage and add sautéed vegetables.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, ricotta, sausage, mozzarella, easy family dinner, comfort food, pasta bake

Find it online: https://evabake.com/cozy-baked-ziti-with-ricotta-sausage-mozzarella-easy-family-dinner-recipe/