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Baked Ziti with Sausage

A comforting baked ziti dish with savory sausage, beef, and creamy cheese, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Baked Ziti, Casserole, comfort food, Pasta, Sausage
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 550kcal

Ingredients

Pasta and Sauce Ingredients

  • 16 ounces Ziti Pasta (450 g)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 ml)
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 15 ounces diced tomatoes, drained (425 g)
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (450 g)
  • 1 pound ground beef (450 g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (2.5 g)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (5 g)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder (5 g)
  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste
  • 2 jars marinara sauce (24 ounces each, 1.4 L total)

Cheese Ingredients

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (200 g)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (100 g)
  • 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese (425 g)

Instructions

Preparation

  • Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, toss in the diced onions and bell pepper. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until they soften.
  • Add the Italian sausage and ground beef to the skillet. Cook until their pink color disappears, making sure to crumble the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
  • To the cooked meat, add the marinara sauce, drained diced tomatoes, and seasonings (Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper). Stir to combine, then let the sauce simmer for a few minutes.
  • Gently fold the cooked ziti pasta into the skillet, mixing until the pasta is well coated in the sauce.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and egg. Mix until smooth.
  • In a 9×13-inch casserole dish, create layers. Start with a layer of the meat sauce and pasta, spread a thin layer of the ricotta mixture over the top, and repeat these layers two more times. Finish with a final layer of pasta.
  • Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top layer of pasta. Cover the dish tightly with foil.

Baking

  • Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 20-30 minutes.
  • After baking, remove the foil and switch the oven to broil on high. Broil for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Notes

Make ahead by assembling a day in advance and refrigerating until ready to cook. Feel free to mix in more vegetables for added nutrition and flavor. Experiment with different cheese blends for a unique twist.