Layers of tender ziti noodles with a meaty zesty Italian sausage sauce and a cream creamy ricotta cheese layer. Top it all with a generous helping of mozzarella cheese and bake until bubbly!
Ingredients for Baked Ziti
Meat: Italian sausage adds great flavor to the sauce. Feel free to replace it with ground beef (or ground turkey). Sauce: This should be browned before adding to the casserole. Add more seasonings, spices (and some chili flakes for heat), and a tablespoon of olive oil for flavor. To make this dish vegetarian, use finely minced vegetables like mushrooms, eggplant, or zucchini. Pasta: I use ziti in this recipe however, penne, rigatoni, or other tube-shaped pasta can be used in place. Cheese: Ricotta cheese makes the creamy cheese layer in this recipe. Replace it by blending cottage cheese with an egg until smooth. Feel free to add spinach or additional herbs to the cheese mixture. Topping: I sprinkle mozzarella cheese overtop for a browned bubbly topping. Just before serving, I love to add freshly grated parmesan cheese and some fresh herbs like parsley or basil.
Variations
Swap the sausage with turkey sausage or another ground meat of your choice. Add extra seasonings, salt, and a couple of cloves garlic if not using sausage. Add 1/2 cup heavy cream to the simmering tomato sauce if desired. More fresh herbs can be added to the cheese mixture or on top before serving.
How to Make Baked Ziti
Tips for a Great Baked Ziti
Use a large skillet for browning meat so the sauce can simmer in the same pan. Cook the pasta al dente (firm) as it will continue to cook as it bakes. To make baked ziti ahead of time, prepare as directed, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours. Remove it from the fridge at least 30 minutes before baking, and add 10 to 15 minutes of baking time. If desired, this pasta casserole can be divided into two 9-inch baking dishes, and half can be frozen. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake until hot and bubbly.
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