Oh, you are in for a treat! There’s just something magical about a bubbling, cheesy casserole that just screams comfort, isn’t there? And today, we’re diving headfirst into what I consider the *ultimate* comfort food: Irresistible Baked Ziti With Sausage Cheesy Comfort. Honestly, this recipe is inspired by my childhood Sunday dinners where Grandma always had a piping-hot dish ready, filling the whole house with the most amazing aroma. This isn’t just any baked ziti; it’s that perfect harmony of savory Italian sausage, creamy dollops of ricotta, and a blanket of melty mozzarella that will have everyone asking for seconds. Seriously, it’s a game-changer!

Why This Irresistible Baked Ziti With Sausage Cheesy Comfort Is a Must-Try

Okay, so why should you absolutely make this Irresistible Baked Ziti With Sausage Cheesy Comfort? Well, for starters, it’s surprisingly easy to whip up, even on a busy weeknight! Forget fancy techniques; this is all about simple, delicious ingredients coming together.

Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: Seriously, who doesn’t love cheesy pasta? This dish is always a hit with my family, from picky eaters to the grown-ups.
Ultimate Comfort Food: On a chilly evening or when you just need a hug in a dish, this baked ziti delivers pure, unadulterated comfort. The savory sausage and rich, gooey cheese are just pure bliss.
Family Dinner Ready: You can easily make this ahead of time and pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve. It’s the perfect recipe for those nights when you want a home-cooked meal without the last-minute stress.

Trust me, this baked ziti isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience that brings people together around the table!

Gather Your Ingredients for Irresistible Baked Ziti With Sausage

Alright, let’s get cooking! To make this absolutely amazing Irresistible Baked Ziti With Sausage just right, you’ll want to have these goodies on hand. I always like to have everything prepped before I start so that nothing catches me off guard.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 pound ziti pasta – the classic tube shape is perfect for holding all that delicious sauce!
1 pound Italian sausage – get the good stuff, and be sure to remove the casings before you cook it.
1 onion – just a medium one, finely chopped.
2 cloves garlic – minced up nice and small.
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes – this is the heart of our sauce.
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce – for a smooth, rich base.
1 teaspoon dried basil – a little fragrant magic.
1 teaspoon dried oregano – classic Italian flavor.
1/2 teaspoon salt – or to your taste, of course!
1/4 teaspoon black pepper – just a pinch.
15 ounces ricotta cheese – whole milk makes it extra creamy, trust me.
1 large egg – lightly beaten, it helps bind that creamy ricotta.
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese – for that salty, nutty kick in the ricotta.
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese – divided, because we need it on the inside and on top!

Having all these ready makes the whole process so much smoother. It’s like building blocks for pure cheesy, saucy goodness!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cheesy Baked Ziti With Sausage

Alright, let’s get this party started! Making this Cheesy Baked Ziti With Sausage is a journey, but every step is worth it, I promise. It flows so nicely, and before you know it, you’ll have a masterpiece ready to go into the oven.

Preparing the Pasta and Sauce Base

First things first, let’s get that oven prepped! Go ahead and crank it up to 375°F (190°C). While that’s heating, grab a big pot and get your ziti pasta cooking according to the package directions. You want it al dente, just tender enough. Drain it and set it aside – don’t rinse it! Then, in a big skillet, toss in your Italian sausage. Break it up with your spoon and cook it until it’s all beautifully browned. Drain off any extra grease, it’s not needed here. Now, toss in your chopped onion and let it soften up, about 5 minutes. Then, add that minced garlic and stir it around for just a minute until it smells amazing. Pour in your crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce, give it a good stir, and then add your basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring that sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, giving it an occasional stir. This is where all those flavors start to meld together!

Creating the Creamy Ricotta Mixture

Now for the creamy layer! In a medium bowl, just mix together your ricotta cheese, the beaten egg, and that lovely grated Parmesan cheese. Give it a good stir until it’s all smooth and well combined. This little mixture is going to make your ziti extra dreamy and hold it all together.

Assembling and Baking Your Cheesy Baked Ziti

Okay, assembly time! Grab your favorite 9×13 inch baking dish. First, spread down about half of your cooked ziti mixed with that gorgeous sausage sauce. Now, dollop spoonfuls of that creamy ricotta mixture all over the top of the ziti layer. Don’t worry about making it perfect, those little pockets of ricotta are delicious! Then, spoon the rest of your ziti and sauce mixture over the top, covering the ricotta. Finally, sprinkle that remaining mozzarella cheese all over the very top. Get it all covered! Pop that dish into your preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly all around the edges. It’s a beautiful sight! Once it’s out, here’s a crucial step: let it stand for about 5-10 minutes. This really helps everything set up nicely so you don’t have a ziti avalanche when you serve it. Patience, my friend, it’s worth it!

Tips for the Best Irresistible Baked Ziti With Sausage

Okay, you’ve got the recipe, but let’s talk about taking your Irresistible Baked Ziti With Sausage from great to absolutely legendary! A few little tricks and insights can make all the difference, trust me. It’s all about using good ingredients and really listening to what the dish needs. For example, I always try to grab a good quality Italian sausage – you know, maybe check out some best Italian sausage brands if you’re unsure. It really makes a difference in the depth of flavor.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

One of the best things about this baked ziti is how forgiving it is! Don’t have Italian sausage? No problem! You can totally use a good quality ground beef, or even go for a spicy pork sausage for a little extra kick. For my vegetarian pals, a plant-based Italian-style sausage crumbles work like a charm. If you’re not a huge fan of ziti, penne or rigatoni are fantastic substitutes; any tube pasta that holds sauce well will be your friend here. And for herbs, while dried basil and oregano are perfect, a sprinkle of fresh basil right before serving adds a lovely bright note. Feeling adventurous? Toss in some sautéed spinach or mushrooms with the sausage for extra goodness!

Serving and Storing Your Cheesy Comfort Dish

Alright, the moment of truth! This baked ziti is practically begging to be served hot and bubbly. It’s a meal on its own, but I absolutely love pairing it with a simple, crisp green salad to cut through all that richness. And, of course, some crusty garlic bread is never a bad idea, right? It’s the perfect vehicle for soaking up any extra bits of sauce.

Now, if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (which, let’s be honest, doesn’t always happen!), storing this cheesy delight is super easy. Just let it cool down completely, then wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer portions into airtight containers. It’ll keep beautifully in the fridge for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, just pop a portion in the microwave or, for that just-baked goodness, bake it in a 350°F (175°C) oven until it’s heated through and that cheese is gooey again. It’s amazing how well it holds up!

Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Ziti With Sausage

Got questions about making this amazing baked ziti? I totally get it! It’s one of my go-to recipes, and I’ve picked up a few things along the way. Here are some common queries I get:

Can I make this baked ziti ahead of time?

Oh, absolutely! This is one of my favorite make-ahead meals because it’s just as delicious, if not better, the next day. You can assemble the whole thing – pasta, sauce, ricotta, cheese – cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before you plan to bake it. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it’ll be cold from the fridge. It’s perfect for entertaining!

What kind of sausage is best for this recipe?

For my classic baked ziti with sausage, I always go for mild or hot Italian sausage. The Italian spices in the sausage are just phenomenal with the tomato sauce! Mild gives you a great savory base, while hot adds a nice little kick that I personally love, especially if I’m a bit under the weather. But honestly, any good quality bulk Italian sausage you can find will work beautifully.

How do I prevent baked ziti from being watery?

That’s a great question, and it sometimes happens! The key is to make sure your sauce has simmered down enough so it’s nice and thick. Also, don’t overcook your pasta; you want it *al dente* because it will finish cooking in the oven. Another trick is to drain any excess fat really well after cooking the sausage so you’re not adding extra liquid that way. And letting the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes after it comes out of the oven is crucial – it lets all those lovely juices settle in and thicken up.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a little heads-up, the nutritional info for this amazing baked ziti is just an estimate, folks! It can totally change depending on the brands you use and, of course, how big of a slice you *really* go for. But generally, a serving is around 550 calories, 30g of fat, 25g of protein, and 45g of carbs. Enjoy every delicious bite!

Irresistible Baked Ziti With Sausage

Author: faironplay.com
Total Time: 65 min
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A comforting and cheesy baked ziti dish with savory sausage.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ziti pasta
1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook ziti pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned. Drain off excess fat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and Parmesan cheese.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti, the sausage and tomato sauce mixture, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Stir to combine.
Spread half of the ziti mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the ziti. Top with the remaining ziti mixture.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a spicier dish, use hot Italian sausage.
You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for extra heat.
Fresh basil can be used instead of dried for a brighter flavor.

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 45 min
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6th of casserole
Calories: 550
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 1200mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: baked ziti, sausage, cheesy, pasta, Italian, comfort food, dinner, casserole