This is the kind of dish that doesn’t just feed people, it gathers them. Italian sausage brings a rich, savory depth, simmered into a robust tomato sauce with garlic and herbs, then folded into tender ziti and blanketed in melted, golden cheese.
As it bakes, everything melds together into that perfect balance of saucy, cheesy, and just slightly crisp around the edges—the corners especially, where the cheese bubbles into irresistible little pockets of caramelized goodness. It’s hearty, comforting, and unapologetically satisfying.
Comfort food will always have my heart, and this baked ziti is no exception. I mean, what’s not to love:
- It freezes beautifully.
- It’s made with plenty of cheese.
- One word: pasta.
- It’s simple and easy.
This is super easy to throw together and freeze for the end of the week, which is why it is a part of our Weekly Meal Plan #3! It makes a big ol’ pan so we usually pop it back in the oven and eat it when we get super busy. Serve it straight from the oven with a simple salad or warm bread, or my favorite green bean recipe and you’ve got a meal that feels like a hug in a casserole dish—reliable, generous, and always welcome at the table.
Italian Sausage Baked Ziti
Equipment
- 1 9×13 casserole dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Italian Sausage
- 1 pound Ground Hamburger Meat The less fat ratio the better
- 1 box Ziti pasta
- 1 small white or yellow onion Finely diced
- 1 small red bell pepper Finely diced
- 1 28 ounce Can of crushed tomatoes
- 1 25 ounce Jar of your favorite pasta sauce
- 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Don't you dare use that cannister.
- 3 Tbs Chopped Fresh Basil (save one tablespoon to sprinkle on top)
- 8 cloves Minced Garlic Yes really. 8 cloves. Trust me.
- 2 tsp Dried Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes More to taste if you like it spicier.
- 16 ounces Full Fat Ricotta Cheese
- 3 cups Mozzarella Cheese, grated
- 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tsp Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉
- Remember to salt your water and cook ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage, ground meat, and diced onion, and diced red bell pepper until meat is browned. Drain grease if needed.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, pasta sauce, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons of the fresh basil, and all spices. Let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes on low.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese and 1 cup of the mozzarella.
- To the 9×13 casserole dish, add a small amount of the meat sauce and spread to coat the bottom of the pan evenly.
- Add the meat sauce and the pasta to the cheese mixture and combine thoroughly.
- Spread a layer of the cheese, meat, noodle mixture into the pan and the sprinkle with a layer of mozzarella. Repeat until the mixture is gone and sprinkle to top with the remaining cheese and basil.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes, then broil uncovered to brown the cheese. Let cool before serving.