Indulge in the hearty and comforting flavors of Baked Ziti with Sausage, a classic Italian-American casserole that is sure to satisfy your cravings. This delectable dish features tender ziti pasta perfectly cooked al dente and tossed in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce. Savor the juicy and savory sausage, which adds a delightful depth of flavor to every bite. The combination of pasta, sauce, and sausage is then topped with a generous helping of melted cheese, creating a golden-brown and irresistibly gooey crust. This recipe also includes variations for vegetarians, using plant-based sausage or tofu as a substitute for the meat. Additionally, there are tips on how to make the dish ahead of time for easy weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Here are our top 11 tried and tested recipes!
BAKED ZITI WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE
Any dinner table benefits from the addition of this great Italian flavor!
Provided by Food Network
Time 30m
Yield 4-6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cook sausage links according to package directions; drain, cut into ¼-inch slices.
- In a large bowl, combine sausage slices, pasta, pasta sauce, water, basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, pepper and mix well.
- Spoon mixture into a greased 9-in. x 13-in. x 2-in. baking dish.
- Arrange garlic bread slices on top of meat mixture.
- Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese.
- In a small bowl, dip tomato slices into olive oil.
- Place one slice of tomato on each piece of bread.
- Bake uncovered, at 400°F for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with basil leaves. Serve.
BAKED ZITI WITH SAUSAGE
This bubbling baked ziti is perfect for feeding a crowd, and it freezes well too.
Provided by Jennifer Segal
Categories Dinner
Time 1h30m
Yield 8 to 10
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti according to the package directions for very al dente, about 7 minutes. (It will continue to cook in the oven so you want to undercook it just a bit.) Drain and add the pasta back to the pot. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and set the oven rack in the middle position.
- Heat a large sauté pan (preferably nonstick) over medium-high heat. Crumble the sausage into the pan and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned and just cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a plate. Drain all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the pan and set over low heat (if you don't have enough fat in the pan, add a tablespoon of olive oil). Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until soft but not browned, about 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar and red pepper flakes and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
- Add the cream, ⅓ cup of the pecorino Romano, cooked sausage, and basil to the pan; stir until evenly combined. Carefully pour the contents of the sauté pan into the large pot with the pasta and gently stir to combine. Spoon half of the mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella and half the remaining pecorino Romano. Spoon the remaining pasta mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and pecorino Romano. Transfer to the oven and bake, uncovered, until the cheese has melted and browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with more basil and serve.
- Make-Ahead/Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The dish can be assembled, covered, and refrigerated for up to 2 days in advance, or frozen for up to 3 months. (If frozen, defrost in the refrigerator overnight.) Whether refrigerated or frozen and defrosted, bake, covered tightly with aluminum foil, in a 425°F oven for 25 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is lightly browned and the pasta is hot throughout.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 613, Fat 38 g, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 25 g, SaturatedFat 18 g, Sugar 6 g, Fiber 3 g, Sodium 913 mg, Cholesterol 111 mg
BAKED ZITI AND SAUSAGE
This is my husband's favorite casserole, and he requests it often. He loves the combination of zesty Italian meat and three types of cheese, which together create a scrumptious baked ziti with sausage.-Christina Ingalls, Manhattan, Kansas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 55m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; place in a large bowl. In a small skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and cut into 1/2-in. slices., In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Pour over pasta; toss to coat., In a small bowl, combine the egg, cottage cheese, parsley, and remaining Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Spoon half of the pasta mixture into a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Top with cottage cheese mixture. Add sausage to the remaining pasta mixture; spoon over the top. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and paprika. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°.
Nutrition Facts :
BAKED ZITI WITH SAUSAGE
This is quite possibly the one thing that I am constantly asked to make. This is a ziti with a lot of flavor.
Provided by Ashley
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the ziti, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
- While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, and cook and stir until brown, about 10 minutes. Drain sausage and set aside.
- Stir together the ricotta, egg, onion, garlic, and oregano in a large bowl until well combined. Stir in the drained pasta, the drained sausage, salt, pepper, and 1/2 jar of the spaghetti sauce; mix well.
- In the prepared baking dish, cover the bottom with 1/3 jar of spaghetti sauce. Layer 1/2 of the pasta mixture, 1/3 jar of spaghetti sauce, and 1/2 of the shredded cheese. Then layer the remaining 1/2 of the pasta, 1/3 of the sauce, and 1/2 of the cheese. Sprinkle with basil. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. Uncover; return to the oven and bake until cheese is melted, 5 to 10 more minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 649.4 calories, Carbohydrate 68.9 g, Cholesterol 85.5 mg, Fat 27.4 g, Fiber 5.9 g, Protein 30.7 g, SaturatedFat 12.3 g, Sodium 1485.1 mg, Sugar 14.9 g
BAKED ZITI
For an Italian classic, try this Baked Ziti recipe from Food Network Kitchen. Tossed in a zesty tomato sauce and oozing with mozzarella, it couldn't be easier.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and boil the pasta until al dente (tender but still slightly firm). Drain.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the quick tomato sauce, cubed mozzarella, half the Parmesan, all of the black pepper and crushed red pepper in a large bowl. Transfer the pasta to the prepared baking dish. Cover the top of the pasta with the sliced mozzarella and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan. Bake until lightly browned and hot, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and the herb sprigs and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in 2 teaspoons salt and season with pepper. Use now or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
BAKED ZITI WITH SWEET TURKEY SAUSAGE
Provided by Robin Miller : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 to 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, cook sausage in a hot skillet over medium heat until golden brown on all sides. Add tomatoes, thyme and rosemary and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese and garlic powder and mix well. Spoon 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce in the bottom of a 4-quart casserole dish. Top with half of the cooked ziti. Top with half of the cheese mixture. Top with 1 cup of the tomato sauce. Repeat layers (remaining ziti and remaining cheese mixture). Top with remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese over top. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 more minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
BEST ZITI EVER WITH SAUSAGE
Ziti is layered with sausage, ricotta, mozzarella and tomato sauce, then baked until bubbling.
Provided by Dawn
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. In a large saucepan, heat pasta sauce with 1 teaspoon basil until bubbling. In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Spread bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with sauce. Layer 1/2 of the ziti, 1/2, the sausage, 1/2 of the ricotta, and 1/2 the mozzarella. Spoon half of the sauce over top. Repeat layers. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 teaspoons basil and Italian seasoning.
- Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 631.1 calories, Carbohydrate 63.1 g, Cholesterol 71.8 mg, Fat 25.3 g, Fiber 4.8 g, Protein 36.3 g, SaturatedFat 11.7 g, Sodium 1350.3 mg, Sugar 10.8 g
THREE-CHEESE BAKED ZITI WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE
This version of baked ziti omits the usual ricotta cheese (or its substitutes) and adds Italian sausage, with very satisfying results!
Provided by Doug in Manhattan
Time 1h25m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a 4-quart rectangular baking dish with nonstick spray. Combine mozzarella and Italian blend cheeses in a bowl and place in the refrigerator.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
- At the same time, heat 3 tablespoons oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage and break up into morsels. Sprinkle baking soda onto sausage, then add onion and garlic. Cook and stir, continuing to break up any clumps as it cooks, until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off and discard any grease.
- Add pasta sauce, olives, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, anchovy paste, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add up to 3 tablespoons more oil if desired, and continue stirring until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring regularly, until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in ziti.
- Spread 1/2 of the sauced ziti into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle 1/2 of the shredded cheese mixture evenly on top. Spoon or ladle the rest of the ziti evenly on top without disturbing the layers underneath; it's okay to have some ziti partially exposed as they will brown handsomely and deliciously as they bake. Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese mixture on top and sprinkle Parmesan across the surface.
- Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 480.3 calories, Carbohydrate 47.3 g, Cholesterol 44 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 4.7 g, Protein 21.4 g, SaturatedFat 9.1 g, Sodium 1144.9 mg, Sugar 11.3 g
BAKED ZITI WITH SAUSAGE (FOR TWO) RECIPE
Provided by pamdabear3383
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- 1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a loaf pan. 2. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the ziti, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink. 3. While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, and cook and stir until brown, about 10 minutes. Drain sausage and set aside. 4. Stir together the ricotta, egg, onion, garlic, and oregano in a large bowl until well combined. Stir in the drained pasta, the drained sausage, salt, pepper, and ½ jar of the spaghetti sauce; mix well. 5. In the prepared baking dish, cover the bottom with ⅓ jar of spaghetti sauce. Layer ½ of the pasta mixture, ⅓ jar of spaghetti sauce, and ½ of the shredded cheese. Then layer the remaining ½ of the pasta, ⅓ of the sauce, and ½ of the cheese. Sprinkle with basil. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. 6. Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. Uncover; return to the oven and bake until cheese is melted, 5 to 10 more minutes.
BAKED ZITI WITH SAUSAGE
I like to use the sauce as a base and change the meat and pasta. Easy to put together and rarely leftovers! Stacey
Provided by Stacey Sweet
Categories Pork
Time 50m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 440°F.
- in a large saucepan heat olive oil add yellow onion and cook until tender.
- add sausage, continue to cook for 2 minutes.
- add tomatoes, oregano and basil.
- simmer sauce on low In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, salt,parsley and parmesan cheese.
- set aside.
- In a large pot of boling salted water, cook pasta until it is not quite al dente.
- drain pasta and combine with ricotta cheese mixture.
- remove sauce from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- after cooling, add sauce to pasta/ricotta mixture and mix well.
- pour mixture into a 4-5 quart baking dish.
- spread mozzarella cheese evenly over pasta.
- bake until cheese begins to brown, about 20 minutes.
- let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 736.9, Fat 35.2, SaturatedFat 15.7, Cholesterol 89.8, Sodium 1484.8, Carbohydrate 66.1, Fiber 4, Sugar 5, Protein 37.8
BAKED ZITI ALFREDO WITH CAJUN CHICKEN
To me this is the ultimate comfort food. The spiciness of the chicken is complemented by the smooth creaminess of the Alfredo sauce. Delicious with a nice glass of white wine.
Provided by Taunte Sara
Categories Pasta Main Dishes
Time 55m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add chicken, Cajun seasoning, and salt. Saute until chicken is cooked through and beginning to caramelize, about 10 minutes. Add bell peppers, onion, and 1/2 of the garlic; cook until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add remaining garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add flour; cook and stir for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in 1 1/2 cups milk and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Add more Parmesan to thicken or more milk to thin to your liking.
- Add cooked pasta to the chicken mixture; toss to coat. Transfer to a deep casserole dish. Pour cheese sauce over the pasta mixture and top with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden and bubbly, about 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 483.8 calories, Carbohydrate 53.1 g, Cholesterol 70.4 mg, Fat 15.4 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 32 g, SaturatedFat 6.8 g, Sodium 790.5 mg, Sugar 7.2 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Buy Italian sausage from a reputable butcher or deli, and use fresh vegetables.
- Brown the sausage before adding it to the sauce. This will help to develop its flavor and prevent it from becoming dry.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Cook it al dente, according to the package directions.
- Layer the ziti in the baking dish evenly. This will help it to cook evenly.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake the ziti for 30 minutes. This will help to keep the pasta moist.
- Uncover the baking dish and bake for an additional 15 minutes. This will help to brown the top of the ziti.
- Let the ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving. This will help the flavors to meld together.
Conclusion:
Baked ziti is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. With its hearty sausage, creamy cheese, and tender pasta, it's sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, give this baked ziti recipe a try.
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