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family friendly baked ziti

Baked Ziti

This classic Italian-American baked ziti combines tender pasta with creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and savory Italian sausage in a tangy tomato sauce. Perfect for family dinners, this hearty casserole features delicious crispy edges and can be made ahead for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese whole milk preferred
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 egg
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 28 ounces pasta sauce one jar
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided

Equipment

  • 2-quart casserole dish
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Skillet

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions, keeping it al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain when done.
  3. While pasta cooks, brown the Italian sausage in a skillet until fully cooked. Chop into bite-sized pieces if necessary.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, chopped parsley, 1½ cups of the shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
  5. Add the cooked sausage and drained pasta to the cheese mixture, gently folding everything together.
  6. Pour in about ¾ of the pasta sauce and mix until everything is evenly coated.
  7. Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
  8. Top with the remaining pasta sauce and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese over everything.
  9. Bake for 30-35 minutes until hot and bubbly with the cheese melted and golden on top.

Notes

For the best flavor, use whole-milk ricotta and freshly shredded mozzarella rather than pre-packaged. This dish freezes beautifully - simply cover with foil before freezing, then thaw and reheat at 350°F, covered for 20 minutes and uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes.
For a variation, try substituting ground beef or turkey for the Italian sausage, or add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach. Cottage cheese can replace ricotta if preferred.
Leftovers will keep refrigerated for up to 4 days and are just as delicious reheated.