Get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our incredibly satisfying Cheesy Baked Ziti recipe! This classic Italian-American dish features layers of perfectly cooked ziti pasta, a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, and an abundance of gooey, melted cheese. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you need a hearty and delicious meal.
This recipe guides you in creating a luscious tomato sauce, whether it is a simple marinara or one enriched with ground beef or Italian sausage. Undercooking the pasta slightly before baking is important to achieve the perfect al dente bite in the finished dish. Layers of pasta and sauce are alternated with creamy ricotta cheese, savory Parmesan, and plenty of gooey mozzarella, ensuring every forkful is a burst of cheesy goodness. Baked ziti is assembled in layers, like a lasagna, but with the added convenience of ziti pasta. Baked ziti can also be made ahead of time and frozen.
Whether you’re new to baking pasta or a seasoned pro, this Cheesy Baked Ziti recipe is straightforward and delivers exceptional results. Serve it with a fresh green salad and garlic bread for a complete and unforgettable Italian feast. Prepare to enjoy every comforting bite!
Ingredients
1lb ziti
1lb hot or sweet bulk sausage
32 oz favorite pasta sauce
1 onion, chopped
16oz whole milk ricotta
16oz whole milk shredded mozzarella
Olive oil
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp oregano
1 tbsp basil
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Fine sea salt and ground black pepper
Method
Cook pasta according to directions to al dente.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Add a tbsp of olive oil to a large skillet and brown the sausage.
Add onion to the sausage before it is fully cooked and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the garlic, oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes, stir, and cook for 1 minute.
Add the tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
Spread a thin layer of sauce in a lasagna pan (9×13).
Combine pasta with rest of the sauce.
Spread half of the pasta into the pan.
Top with half of the ricotta.
Top with remaining pasta, then ricotta, and then top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until top is browned to your liking.
Let rest 5 minutes before spooning and serving.
