Baked ziti with sausage is a classic Italian-American dish that is sure to delight your taste buds. This hearty pasta dish is made with ziti noodles, Italian sausage, tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese. It's the perfect comfort food for a cozy night or a family dinner.
How To Make:
To make baked ziti with sausage, you'll start by cooking the ziti noodles in a pot of boiling salted water until they're al dente. While the pasta cooks, you'll brown the sausage in a skillet until it's fully cooked and nicely browned. Once the sausage is done, you'll add tomato sauce and any additional seasonings you like, such as garlic, basil, and oregano.
Next, you'll mix the cooked ziti noodles with the sausage and tomato sauce mixture until everything is evenly coated. Then you'll transfer the pasta to a baking dish and top it with plenty of shredded mozzarella cheese. You can also sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.
Finally, you'll bake the ziti in a preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the pasta is hot and steamy. This should take about 20-25 minutes depending on your oven. Once the pasta is done, you can remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips and Variations:
Tips:
Use a good quality Italian sausage for maximum flavor. You can use sweet or spicy sausage depending on your preference.
Don't overcook the ziti noodles, as they will continue to cook in the oven.
Make sure to season the tomato sauce well with garlic, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavor of the dish.
You can add some chopped vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms to the sausage and tomato sauce mixture for added nutrition and texture.
Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving, as this will help it set and make it easier to slice and serve.
Variations:
You can substitute the Italian sausage with ground beef, ground turkey, or even vegetarian meat substitutes to make a meatless version of the dish.
Add some ricotta cheese to the ziti mixture for a creamier texture.
Use a different type of pasta like penne or rigatoni instead of ziti for a change of pace.
Try using a different type of cheese like provolone, fontina, or cheddar instead of mozzarella for a unique flavor.
Add some red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce for a spicier version of the dish.
Add some spinach or kale to the ziti mixture for added nutrition and color.
Use a homemade tomato sauce for maximum flavor and freshness.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ziti noodles
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 jar (24 ounces) tomato sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: chopped vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Cook the ziti noodles in a pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, brown the sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon or spatula. Add any chopped vegetables you like and cook until they are softened.
Once the sausage is fully cooked and browned, add the tomato sauce, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Add the cooked ziti noodles to the skillet with the sausage and tomato sauce mixture, and toss to coat the pasta evenly.
Transfer the pasta to a large baking dish and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top of the mozzarella.
Bake the ziti in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the pasta is hot and steamy.
Remove the ziti from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.