Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Mozzarella

Introduction

Baked ziti is a beloved Italian-American comfort dish that captures everything we love about hearty pasta meals. With layers of tender pasta, flavorful Italian sausage, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of gooey mozzarella, it’s the perfect recipe for feeding a hungry crowd. Think of it as lasagna’s easier, quicker cousin—equally comforting but far less fussy.

This version with Italian sausage adds depth and spice to the sauce, while mozzarella provides that irresistible melted-cheese stretch we all crave. Whether you’re preparing it for Sunday dinner, a family gathering, or to stock the freezer, baked ziti is always a winner.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it delivers maximum comfort with minimal effort. Unlike lasagna, you don’t have to worry about perfectly layered sheets of pasta. Instead, the pasta, sauce, and cheese all bake together in one beautiful dish. The Italian sausage infuses the tomato sauce with rich, savory flavors, and the mozzarella on top creates a golden, bubbly crust.

It’s also a crowd-pleasing dish—everyone from kids to adults loves it. It reheats well, freezes beautifully, and can be adapted with extra veggies or different cheeses depending on what you have on hand.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Effortless comfort food – simple yet indulgent.
• Family-friendly – appeals to all ages.
• Make-ahead and freezer-friendly – perfect for busy schedules.
• Versatile – you can add veggies, swap meats, or play with cheeses.
• Crowd-pleaser – ideal for potlucks, parties, or Sunday dinners.

This dish is a must-try because it’s easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for gatherings.

Recipe Information

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Servings: 8 servings
• Calories per Serving: ~480 kcal
• Course: Main Course
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

For the Pasta and Sauce:

• 1 lb ziti (or penne) pasta
• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp sugar (optional)
• 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp dried basil (or 2 tbsp fresh, chopped)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Cheese Mixture:

• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)

For Topping:

• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Extra Parmesan for sprinkling

Cooking Directions

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook ziti until al dente, drain, and set aside.
2. Cook the sausage: Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add sausage, onion, and garlic. Cook until sausage is browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Make the sauce: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, and seasonings. Simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Mix the ricotta filling: In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and parsley.
5. Assemble the baked ziti: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased 9x13-inch dish, spread some sauce, then layer pasta, ricotta mixture, more sauce, and mozzarella. Repeat layers. Finish with mozzarella on top.
6. Bake: Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
7. Rest: Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Boil pasta until al dente.
2. Brown sausage with onion and garlic.
3. Add tomatoes and seasonings; simmer sauce.
4. Mix ricotta with egg, Parmesan, and parsley.
5. Layer sauce, pasta, ricotta, and mozzarella in a baking dish.
6. Bake covered, then uncovered, until bubbly.
7. Rest, slice, and serve.

How to Serve

• Serve hot in generous scoops.
• Pair with garlic bread and a crisp green salad.
• A glass of red wine (Chianti, Cabernet) complements it perfectly.

Recipe Tips

• Cook pasta al dente so it doesn’t get mushy while baking.
• Let it rest before serving for cleaner scoops.
• Add spice with red pepper flakes if you like heat.
• Use fresh mozzarella for extra creaminess.

Variations

1. Vegetable Baked Ziti: Add sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach.
2. Four-Cheese Ziti: Use mozzarella, ricotta, provolone, and fontina.
3. Turkey Ziti: Swap Italian sausage for ground turkey.
4. White Baked Ziti: Use Alfredo or béchamel sauce instead of tomato.
5. Spicy Ziti: Use hot Italian sausage and extra chili flakes.

Freezing and Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze baked or unbaked (wrapped tightly) for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. For frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large pot (for pasta)
• Large skillet (for sausage and sauce)
• 9x13-inch baking dish
• Mixing bowls
• Aluminum foil

Conclusion

Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Mozzarella is the ultimate weeknight-to-Sunday dinner recipe. With its cheesy, bubbly top, savory sausage-tomato sauce, and creamy ricotta layers, it’s a dish that combines comfort with simplicity.

It’s hearty enough to feed a family, easy enough for beginners, and versatile enough to adapt to your tastes. Whether served fresh out of the oven or reheated the next day, baked ziti never disappoints.