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Creamy Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Ricotta

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A comforting and easy baked ziti recipe featuring spicy Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and a rich tomato sauce, perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) dried ziti pasta
  • 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed (mild spicy preferred)
  • 1 cup (240g) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups (720ml) marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook for 8-9 minutes until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  6. Pour in marinara sauce, then stir in Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  7. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
  8. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of sausage marinara sauce.
  9. Add half of the cooked ziti, then dollop half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta.
  10. Repeat layers: sauce, ziti, then ricotta mixture.
  11. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  12. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  13. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  14. Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  15. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; al dente is best as it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain excess fat from sausage but leave a little for flavor. Mix ricotta with mozzarella and Parmesan for smooth texture. Cover with foil during initial baking to keep moisture, then remove foil to brown cheese. Can assemble a day ahead and refrigerate. Freeze leftovers up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, ricotta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, pasta bake, homemade baked ziti

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/creamy-baked-ziti-with-italian-sausage-and-ricotta-easy-homemade-recipe/