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Comforting Baked Ziti with Three Cheeses and Italian Sausage

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A hearty and cheesy baked ziti featuring Italian sausage and a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses, perfect for an easy and comforting dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta (or penne as a substitute)
  • Salt (for boiling water)
  • 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, casing removed (sweet or spicy)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28-ounce/800g) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 15 ounces (425g) ricotta cheese (whole milk)
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese (part-skim)
  • 3/4 cup (75g) grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Extra mozzarella and parmesan for topping (about 1 cup combined)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. In a large bowl, combine ricotta, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, parmesan, beaten egg, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir gently until well blended but still creamy.
  8. Add drained pasta to the meat sauce and stir until pasta is evenly coated.
  9. In a baking dish, spread half of the pasta-sauce mixture. Dollop half of the cheese mixture on top and gently spread. Repeat with remaining pasta and cheese mixture.
  10. Sprinkle about 1 cup of extra shredded mozzarella and parmesan on top.
  11. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and golden brown and sauce bubbles around edges.
  12. Let baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; it will finish cooking in the oven. Let baked ziti rest before serving to set and improve texture. Use fresh garlic and herbs for best flavor. For gluten-free, substitute pasta and check sausage ingredients. For dairy-free, use plant-based cheese alternatives but expect different texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, three cheese baked ziti, easy dinner, comfort food, pasta bake, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/comforting-baked-ziti-with-three-cheeses-and-italian-sausage-recipe-for-easy-dinner-delight/