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Baked Ziti with Sausage
Maya

Baked Ziti with Sausage

This hearty baked ziti with sausage combines tender pasta, rich marinara, and creamy ricotta layered with mozzarella and cheddar — a comforting Italian-American classic perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz ziti pasta
  • 2 jars (24 oz each) marinara sauce
  • 15 oz diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 lb Italian sausage
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 0.5 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • 9x13 casserole dish
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, diced onion, and bell pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes. Add Italian sausage and ground beef. Cook until no pink remains, then drain excess grease.
  3. Add marinara sauce, drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir and bring to a simmer. Add the cooked pasta and mix until well combined.
  4. In a small mixing bowl, stir together ricotta cheese and egg until fully combined.
  5. In a 9x13 casserole dish, layer the meat sauce and pasta mixture, spread a thin layer of ricotta mixture on top, and repeat the process twice more, finishing with a top layer of pasta.
  6. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 20–30 minutes. Remove the foil and broil on high for 2–3 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbling.
  7. Remove from the oven and serve warm. Enjoy!

Notes

Use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your flavor preference. You can prepare the meat sauce a day ahead for easier assembly. For a lighter version, use turkey sausage and part-skim ricotta. Let the casserole rest 10 minutes before slicing for clean layers.