Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage

Introduction

Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage is the ultimate comfort food—cheesy, saucy, and hearty, it’s a classic Italian-American casserole that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any night you’re craving something warm and filling. Tender pasta is layered with a rich tomato sauce made with savory Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and plenty of gooey mozzarella cheese. Once baked, it turns into a bubbling, golden, irresistible dish.

It’s like a cross between lasagna and pasta bake—without the fuss of layering sheets of pasta. That’s why it’s often called “lazy lasagna,” but trust me, there’s nothing lazy about the flavor!

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s hearty, cheesy, and always a crowd-pleaser. It combines all the best parts of Italian comfort food: pasta, meat sauce, and cheese baked to perfection. It’s also super versatile—you can prepare it ahead of time, bake it fresh for dinner, or freeze it for busy weeknights. Plus, it makes enough to feed a family (with leftovers that taste even better the next day).

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Crowd-Friendly: Great for feeding a big family or group.
• Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly: Perfect for meal prep.
• Classic Flavors: Sausage, pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese are a match made in heaven.
• Easy to Customize: Add veggies, swap sausage for ground beef or turkey, or make it vegetarian.
• Comfort Food at Its Best: Warm, cheesy, and satisfying.

Preparation & Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Servings: 6–8 servings
• Calories: ~480–520 per serving

Cuisine & Course

• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Course: Main Course, Dinner

Ingredients

For the Pasta Bake:

• 1 lb (450 g) ziti pasta (or penne, rigatoni)
• 1 lb (450 g) Italian sausage (mild or hot, casings removed)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 oz / 680 g) marinara sauce (or homemade)
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 tsp sugar (to balance acidity)
• Salt & pepper, to taste

For the Cheese Mixture:

• 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

For Topping:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Cook pasta until al dente.
2. Make sausage marinara sauce.
3. Mix ricotta with egg, Parmesan, and parsley.
4. Layer pasta, sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella in a baking dish.
5. Bake until bubbly and golden.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Cook Pasta:
   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Cook ziti until just al dente (it will continue cooking in the oven). Drain and set aside.
2. Make Sausage Sauce:
   • In a large skillet, cook Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles until browned.
   • Add diced onion and cook until softened (5 minutes).
   • Stir in garlic, cook for 1 minute.
   • Add marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and pepper.
   • Simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
3. Prepare Ricotta Mixture:
   • In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and parsley until smooth.
4. Assemble Casserole:
   • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of sauce.
   • Layer half of the pasta, half of the ricotta mixture, half of the sausage sauce, and half of the mozzarella.
   • Repeat with remaining pasta, ricotta, sauce, and mozzarella.
   • Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
5. Bake:
   • Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
   • Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
6. Rest & Serve:
   • Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.

How to Serve

• Serve hot with a side of garlic bread or a fresh Caesar salad.
• Pair with a glass of red wine for an authentic Italian-American experience.
• Leftovers make an excellent next-day lunch!

Additional Recipe Tips

• Undercook pasta slightly so it doesn’t get mushy.
• Let baked ziti rest before serving for cleaner slices.
• For richer flavor, add a splash of red wine to the sauce.
• Shred your own mozzarella for the best melt (pre-shredded has anti-caking agents).

Variations

• Vegetarian: Replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini.
• Lighter Version: Use turkey sausage and part-skim ricotta/mozzarella.
• Extra Cheesy: Add provolone or fontina cheese to the layers.
• White Baked Ziti: Skip tomato sauce and use Alfredo sauce instead.
• Spicy Ziti: Use hot Italian sausage and extra red pepper flakes.

Freezing & Storage

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezing (Unbaked): Assemble, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour (covered).
• Freezing (Baked): Cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat covered in oven at 350°F until warmed through.
• Reheating: Microwave individual portions or bake in oven.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large pot (for pasta)
• Large skillet (for sausage sauce)
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Mixing bowls (for ricotta mixture)
• Aluminum foil

Conclusion

Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage is the definition of comfort food—cheesy, saucy, and soul-warming. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for Sunday dinner or a gathering. With its make-ahead and freezer-friendly options, this recipe is a lifesaver for busy families. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving some cozy Italian flavors, this baked ziti is a dish you’ll keep coming back to again and again.

Print Recipe

Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage

Author: Emily Clark Cuisine: Italian Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 40 mins Total Time 1 hr

Servings: 6 Calories: 520 per serving

Description

Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage is the ultimate comfort food—cheesy, saucy, and hearty, it’s a classic Italian-American casserole that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any night you’re craving something warm and filling.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Pasta Bake:

• 1 lb (450 g)
• 1 lb (450 g)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 oz / 680 g)
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g)
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 tsp sugar (to balance acidity)
• Salt & pepper, to taste

For the Cheese Mixture:

• 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

For Topping:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Cook Pasta : Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until just al dente (it will continue cooking in the oven). Drain and set aside.
2. Make Sausage Sauce : In a large skillet, cook Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles until browned. Add diced onion and cook until softened (5 minutes). Stir in garlic, cook for 1 minute. Add marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
3. Prepare Ricotta Mixture : In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and parsley until smooth.
4. Assemble Casserole : Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of sauce. Layer half of the pasta, half of the ricotta mixture, half of the sausage sauce, and half of the mozzarella. Repeat with remaining pasta, ricotta, sauce, and mozzarella. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
5. Bake : Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
6. Rest & Serve : Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.

Keywords: Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage