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Comforting Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Ricotta

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A hearty and soulful baked ziti featuring spicy Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, perfect for cozy dinners and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) Italian sausage (mild, sweet, or spicy)
  • 12 ounces (340 g) ziti pasta (penne or rigatoni can be substituted)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 200 g)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 g)
  • 28 ounces (800 g) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • A handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the ziti pasta in salted boiling water until just shy of al dente (about 8-9 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, chopped basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 10 minutes, adding water or broth if sauce is too thick.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese with grated Parmesan. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  7. In a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish, layer half the cooked pasta, half the sauce, half the ricotta mixture, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella. Repeat layers with remaining pasta, sauce, ricotta, and finish with the last cup of mozzarella.
  8. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  9. Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; it will finish cooking in the oven. Brown sausage well for depth of flavor. Use fresh herbs when possible. Cover with foil while baking to keep moisture. Let rest before serving for easier slicing.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, ricotta, mozzarella, pasta bake, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/comforting-baked-ziti-with-italian-sausage-and-ricotta-recipe-made-easy/