Easy Baked Ziti
Ingredients
The pasta
The meat and vegetables
-
1
lb
Italian sweet sausage
-
1
medium
onion, finely diced
-
2
teaspoon
garlic, finely minced
The sauce and spices
-
1
teaspoon
olive oil
-
1
tablespoon
unsalted butter
-
½
teaspoon
salt
-
½
teaspoon
black pepper
-
1
tablespoon
Italian seasoning
-
½
teaspoon
red pepper flakes
-
4
cups
tomato sauce
The cheese
-
16
oz
shredded mozzarella cheese
-
2
cups
ricotta cheese
-
1
large
egg
-
1
tablespoon
Italian parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Combine ricotta cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes in a bowl and mix well.
- Add half of the shredded mozzarella to the ricotta mixture and combine, then refrigerate.
- Boil water with salt in a large pot and cook the ziti until al dente, then drain.
- Return drained pasta to the pot, add butter, and stir to prevent sticking.
- In a skillet, cook chopped onion with salt and pepper until caramelized, then add minced garlic.
- Add Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it up and cooking until browned, then remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, mix ziti, ricotta mixture, and sausage mixture together.
- Add three cups of tomato sauce to the mixture and combine thoroughly.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Layer some tomato sauce in a baking dish, then pour in the ziti mixture.
- Top with remaining sauce, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven, add remaining mozzarella, and sprinkle with parsley before baking until bubbly.
- Let rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts (estimated)
Servings
8
Calories
748
Total fat
42g
Total carbohydrates
55g
Total protein
38g
Sodium
963mg
Cholesterol
144mg
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