Classic Baked Ziti
Classic Baked Ziti is a hearty, cheesy pasta casserole loaded with sausage, creamy tomato sauce, and three kinds of cheese. It’s a family favorite that's easy to prep and even easier to love.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 cup onion diced
- 8 oz mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup diced green pepper about ½ a large green pepper -
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Boil the ziti in a large pot of salted water until just shy of al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking, and set aside.
- Brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until no longer pink, then add the diced onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until it starts to soften.
- Stir in the mushrooms and green pepper. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Season with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for 5 more minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, tomato-sausage sauce, ricotta cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to your prepared baking dish, then top with shredded mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
- Let the baked ziti rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Use whole milk ricotta for a richer, creamier texture.
- If you want extra crisp edges, broil the ziti for 2 to 3 minutes after baking; just watch it closely.
- You can prep everything the day before and bake it fresh when ready to serve.
- Swap the sausage for ground beef or a plant-based alternative if you prefer.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 672kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 31gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 928mgPotassium: 783mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 872IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 363mgIron: 4mg
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
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