Baked Ziti with Sausage (Printer-Friendly)

Hearty baked ziti with Italian sausage, tomato sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and cheddar for a golden, melty finish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 pound ziti pasta

→ Meats

02 - 8 ounces Italian sausage, mild or hot, casings removed
03 - 8 ounces ground beef

→ Sauce

04 - 14.5 ounces diced fire-roasted tomatoes, drained
05 - 15 ounces marinara sauce
06 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
07 - 1 medium bell pepper, diced (about 3/4 cup)
08 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
09 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Cheese Layer

14 - 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
15 - 1 large egg

→ Cheese Topping

16 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
17 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook ziti according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, stirring frequently, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Add Italian sausage and ground beef to the skillet. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until no pink remains and slight browning develops. Drain excess grease.
04 - Stir in drained diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer gently until sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld.
05 - Add cooked ziti to the skillet and stir until pasta is evenly coated and sauce clings to each piece.
06 - In a small bowl, blend ricotta cheese with the egg until smooth and creamy.
07 - In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread one-third of the pasta and sauce mixture. Dollop and gently spread one-third of the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Repeat layering two more times, ending with a final pasta and sauce layer.
08 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the top layer, covering the surface edge to edge.
09 - Cover with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 30 minutes until hot and bubbling. Remove foil and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until cheese is golden and slightly crisp. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - Cooking pasta al dente prevents mushiness after baking. Letting the casserole rest before slicing improves portioning.

Go Back