The Best Baked Ziti with Sausage
When you need something warm, hearty, & comforting that everyone will love, this dish always hits the spot. Layers of rich marinara, tender ziti, creamy three-cheese ricotta filling, and zesty Italian sausage come together to create a bubbling, irresistibly cheesy dinner everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: pasta, cheesy, comfort food, freezer meals, meal prep, casserole, italian dinner
- Method: oven
- Cuisine: pasta, cheesy, comfort food, freezer meals, meal prep, casserole, italian dinner
Ingredients
- 10oz Ziti, cooked to al dente (the ziti is measured dry)
- 4 Italian Sausages, removed from casing, crumbled and cooked
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk ricotta, drained
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon Chupacabra Italian Seasoning
- 2 cups mozzarella
- 1 quart (32 ounces/ 4 cups) marinara
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray an 11″x8″ baking dish and set aside. *see note
- Mix the ricotta, parmesan, egg, and Chupacabra Italian Seasoning until combined. Add in all but 1/2 cup of mozzarella, mix, and set aside.
- To the bottom of the 11″x8″ baking dish, add 1/3 of the marinara sauce, half of the cooked ziti, the ricotta mixture, sausage, and ~10 basil leaves (this will vary depending on their size). Repeat the layering by adding another 1/3 of the marinara, the remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, sausage, and basil. Top with the remaining 1/3 of the marinara. Sprinkle with Parmesan and cover with foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
- Bake for ~35-45 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 150°F. Uncover, add the remaining mozzarella cheese, and return it to the oven until the cheese is fully melted and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
*This recipe is baked in an 11″x8″ baking pan. SEE THE POST ABOVE for measurements to make it in a 9″x13″ baking pan