Description
A comforting baked ziti dish featuring Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti, sausage mixture, and ricotta cheese. Mix thoroughly.
- Transfer half of the ziti mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and half of the parmesan. Layer the remaining ziti mixture on top, then finish with the rest of the mozzarella and parmesan.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish with fresh basil if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
For a lighter option, consider using turkey sausage. You can also add extra vegetables for additional nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg