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Creamy Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Ricotta

creamy baked ziti with italian sausage and ricotta - featured image
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A comforting and creamy baked pasta dish featuring Italian sausage, ricotta, and a melty cheese topping, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) ziti pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 pound (450 grams) Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 ½ cups (375 grams) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups (200 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups (720 ml) marinara sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil or Italian seasoning (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 g) of ziti and cook until just al dente, about 9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 pound (450 g) of Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan.
  3. Add the minced garlic (3 cloves) to the same skillet and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Stir in fresh basil or Italian seasoning if using.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, stir together 3 cups (720 ml) marinara sauce, cooked sausage, 1 ½ cups (375 g) ricotta cheese, and ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and sausage mixture. Stir gently until the pasta is well coated.
  6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the dish, sprinkle 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella evenly over the layer, then add the remaining pasta. Top with the remaining 1 cup (100 g) mozzarella.
  7. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
  8. Let the baked ziti rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; it finishes cooking in the oven. Brown sausage well for flavor. Use whole milk ricotta for creaminess. Cover during baking to keep moisture, remove foil near end for golden cheese crust. Let rest before serving. Variations include vegetarian, spicy, dairy-free, and one-pot meal adaptations.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, ricotta, creamy pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/creamy-baked-ziti-with-italian-sausage-and-ricotta-easy-recipe-for-perfect-comfort-meal/