Description
Cheesy Baked Ziti with Sausage & Mozzarella is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a rich blend of pasta, sausage, and gooey cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ziti or penne pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil ziti until just al dente – perfect pasta texture for that creamy, cheesy bake win. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook sausage until browned and crumbly. Add garlic and Italian seasoning for that bold, savory flavor boost.
- Stir in marinara sauce and a splash of cream. Let it simmer for a few minutes – total comfort food upgrade with creamy, rich vibes.
- In a large baking dish, layer half the cooked pasta, spoon over sausage sauce, dollop with ricotta, sprinkle mozzarella, and repeat – this cheesy pasta bake is next-level goodness.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden – the best weeknight dinner idea ever!
Notes
- Feel free to use a mix of cheeses for added flavor.
- Can substitute sausage with ground beef or turkey for a different taste.
- For a vegetarian option, omit the sausage and add more vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Cheesy Baked Ziti, Baked ziti with sausage, Mozzarella pasta bake, Hearty Italian casserole, Cheesy pasta dinner, Oven-baked ziti recipe, Comfort food pasta