Easy Baked Ziti with Spicy Italian Sausage
Easy Baked Ziti with Spicy Italian Sausage is the perfect comforting dish to bring warmth to your table. This hearty meal combines the chewy texture of ziti pasta with a rich, savory sauce made from spicy sausage and fresh tomatoes, all topped with gooey, melted cheese. It’s an Italian classic with a little kick, making it a favorite for families and friends alike. Plus, it’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy!
What You’ll Need for Easy Baked Ziti with Spicy Italian Sausage
Gather these ingredients to whip up this delicious baked ziti:
- 280 g Ziti or Zitoni pasta (or pasta tubes like short ziti or rigatoni)
- 200 g spicy Sausage or soft salami
- 200 g scamorza cheese (and/or mozzarella or smoked scamorza)
- 400 g peeled tomatoes or tomato passata
- 100 g cherry tomatoes (optional)
- 1 onion
- 6-8 basil leaves
- 125 ml white wine
- 60 g pecorino (grated or Parmigiano)
- 2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
How to Make Easy Baked Ziti with Spicy Italian Sausage
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Sauté the Base: In a skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the spicy sausage cut into pieces and the chopped onion. Sauté until the onion is transparent, about 5 minutes.
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Add Wine and Tomatoes: Pour in the white wine and increase the heat to allow it to evaporate. If you’re using cherry tomatoes, toss them in now and let them cook for about 2 minutes to soften.
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Simmer the Sauce: Next, add the tomato passata to the skillet. Season with salt and reduce the heat to medium, letting the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. In the last few minutes, stir in the chopped basil for that fresh flavor.
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Prep the Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) and grease a baking dish with a bit of olive oil.
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Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add salt and let it come to a boil again. Add the pasta and cook it very al dente according to the package instructions. Remember to reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water before draining!
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Combine Sauce and Pasta: Mix the drained pasta with the tomato sauce, adding a splash of the reserved cooking water if the sauce seems too dry.
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Layer Your Dish: In your greased baking dish, start layering. Begin with a layer of pasta and sauce, followed by a layer of sliced cheese and some sausage pieces. Repeat this until all ingredients are used, finishing with a final layer of pasta.
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Top It Off: On top of the last pasta layer, arrange the remaining cheese slices and generously sprinkle grated pecorino for that extra cheesy goodness.
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Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and begins to brown. For that perfect golden top, you can put it under the broiler for an extra 2 minutes.
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Let It Rest: Allow the baked ziti to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the layers firm up a bit for easier slicing.
Serve & Enjoy Easy Baked Ziti with Spicy Italian Sausage
When it’s time to serve, scoop portions onto plates and garnish with a few fresh basil leaves for color. This baked ziti pairs beautifully with a simple green salad drizzled with balsamic dressing and some crusty bread for dipping. You might also like to serve it alongside a glass of your favorite red wine or sparkling water.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Make it Vegetarian: You can easily swap out the spicy sausage for a plant-based alternative or leave it out altogether for a delightful veggie baked ziti. Add more veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach instead!
- Cheesy Goodness: Experiment with different cheese combinations. Adding some creamy ricotta between the layers can elevate the dish even further and give it a luxurious texture.
- Extra Flavor: Feel free to add some crushed red pepper flakes for an extra kick if you want to turn up the heat!
Easy Baked Ziti with Spicy Italian Sausage FAQs
Can I make baked ziti in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the ziti up to the baking step, cover it tightly, and keep it in the fridge for a day. When you’re ready to eat, just bake it according to the instructions.
Can I freeze baked ziti?
Yes, this dish freezes well. Just make sure to cool it completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the oven.
What can I serve with baked ziti?
Baked ziti is delicious on its own, but you can serve it with garlic bread, a side salad, or steamed vegetables to make a complete meal.
There’s nothing quite like the warm, comforting taste of Easy Baked Ziti with Spicy Italian Sausage. I hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy every cheesy, savory bite! Happy cooking!
Easy Baked Ziti with Spicy Italian Sausage
Ingredients
Pasta and Cheese
- 280 g Ziti or Zitoni pasta or pasta tubes like short ziti or rigatoni
- 200 g scamorza cheese and/or mozzarella or smoked scamorza
- 60 g pecorino grated or Parmigiano
Sauce Ingredients
- 200 g spicy sausage or soft salami
- 400 g peeled tomatoes or tomato passata
- 100 g cherry tomatoes optional
- 1 piece onion chopped
- 6-8 leaves basil chopped
- 125 ml white wine
- 2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
Preparation
- In a skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the spicy sausage cut into pieces and the chopped onion. Sauté until the onion is transparent, about 5 minutes.
- Pour in the white wine and increase the heat to allow it to evaporate.
- If you’re using cherry tomatoes, toss them in now and let them cook for about 2 minutes to soften.
Cooking the Sauce
- Add the tomato passata to the skillet. Season with salt and reduce the heat to medium, letting the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes.
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. In the last few minutes, stir in the chopped basil for that fresh flavor.
Preparing the Pasta
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) and grease a baking dish with a bit of olive oil.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add salt and let it come to a boil again.
- Add the pasta and cook it very al dente according to the package instructions. Remember to reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water before draining!
Combining and Baking
- Mix the drained pasta with the tomato sauce, adding a splash of the reserved cooking water if the sauce seems too dry.
- In your greased baking dish, start layering: Begin with a layer of pasta and sauce, followed by a layer of sliced cheese and some sausage pieces.
- Repeat this until all ingredients are used, finishing with a final layer of pasta.
- On top of the last pasta layer, arrange the remaining cheese slices and generously sprinkle grated pecorino.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and begins to brown.
- For that perfect golden top, you can put it under the broiler for an extra 2 minutes.
Serving
- Allow the baked ziti to rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Scoop portions onto plates and garnish with a few fresh basil leaves for color.
