Description
This is The Best Baked Ziti, a hearty and comforting pasta dish made with a tasty blend of Italian sausages, marinara sauce, and creamy cheeses that will warm your heart and satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ pound hot Italian sausage
- ¾ pound sweet Italian sausage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion
- diced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 (24-ounce) jars prepared marinara sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1 (16-ounce) package ziti pasta
- 1 drizzle olive oil
- or as needed
- for greasing
- 1 ½ cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese
- cut into small cubes
- 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 teaspoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
- or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the diced onion, cooking until softened.
- Add both the hot and sweet Italian sausages to the skillet, breaking them up with a spoon. Cook until browned.
- Stir in the oregano, thyme, and rosemary, cooking for another minute.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and water, bringing everything to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and half the mozzarella and Pecorino Romano cheeses.
- Grease a baking dish with olive oil and pour the ziti mixture into the dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Pecorino Romano cheeses.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can add your favorite vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat mixture. Feel free to substitute gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 670 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1,320mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Baked Ziti,Pasta,Italian,Comfort Food,Cheesy Casserole