Baked Ziti with Sausage 🧀🍝🔥 Hearty, Cheesy, and Loaded With Bold Italian Sausage in a Rich Red Sauce

This is baked pasta at its most satisfying: al dente ziti, browned sausage, garlicky tomato sauce, and layers of creamy ricotta and melted cheese. It’s a crowd-pleaser that delivers lasagna-level comfort with half the effort — and makes killer leftovers (if there are any).

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

For the pasta

• 1 lb ziti or rigatoni
• Salted water for boiling

For the sausage & sauce

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, casings removed)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or 2½ cups crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: red pepper flakes, splash of red wine, or pinch of sugar

For the cheese layer

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 egg (optional, for binding)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: chopped parsley or basil

For topping

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• More Parmesan for finishing
• Optional: fresh basil, chili flakes, or drizzle of olive oil

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta
Boil pasta until just shy of al dente (it’ll finish in the oven). Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Make the sausage sauce
Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add sausage and brown, breaking it up. Stir in onion and cook 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Stir in tomato paste, marinara, and seasonings. Simmer 10–15 minutes until thickened.

Step 3: Mix the ricotta layer
In a bowl, stir together ricotta, Parmesan, egg (if using), salt, pepper, and herbs.

Step 4: Combine
Toss cooked pasta with most of the sausage sauce, reserving ½ cup. Layer half the pasta into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Dollop with half the ricotta mix, then repeat. Pour remaining sauce on top and smooth.

Step 5: Top and bake
Sprinkle with mozzarella and extra Parmesan. Bake at 375°F (190°C) uncovered for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Broil for 2–3 minutes if you want crispy cheese edges.

Step 6: Rest and serve
Let sit 5–10 minutes before scooping. Top with herbs or chili flakes if desired.

Flavor Variations

• Add sautéed spinach or zucchini between layers
• Swap ricotta for cottage cheese or mascarpone
• Use spicy sausage or a mix of beef and sausage
• Stir in chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes for depth
• Add a layer of béchamel or Alfredo for a creamier version

Pro Tips

• Undercook pasta slightly — it finishes in the oven
• Let the sauce simmer to deepen flavor before baking
• Ricotta mix can be made ahead — even the night before
• Bake uncovered for crispy edges, covered for softer finish
• Let it rest — it sets and slices better after cooling a bit

Final Thoughts

Baked Ziti with Sausage is big, bubbly, and built to feed a crowd (or fuel your week). It’s layered comfort that hits the table hot and keeps bringing people back for seconds.

Sear it. Sauce it. Bake it until golden. 🧀🍝🔥

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