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Italian Sausage Baked Ziti

Italian Sausage Baked Ziti

Why you’ll love it:
* Classic, crowd-pleasing comfort food
* Easy to make ahead and even better the next day
* Freezer-friendly for future busy nights
Serve it straight from the oven with a simple salad or warm bread, and you’ve got a meal that feels like a hug in a casserole dish—reliable, generous, and always welcome at the table.
Classic, crowd-pleasing comfort foodEasy to make ahead and even better the next dayFreezer-friendly for future busy nights
Servings 6
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 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 9x13 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.
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian, Pasta
Keyword: Pasta