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Delicious baked ziti with sausage topped with melted cheese and herbs

Baked Ziti with Sausage

A delicious and hearty baked ziti dish featuring pasta, savory sausage, and rich marinara sauce, perfect for family dinners and meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 servings
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ziti pasta
  • 1.25 lbs Sweet Italian Sausage
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 25 oz marinara sauce I used Rao's
  • 14.5 oz petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 leaves bay leaves
  • salt (to taste)
  • black pepper (to taste)
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese (drained and cut into cubes)
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup part skim mozzarella cheese (shredded)
  • parsley (fresh, chopped, for garnish)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish and set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Salt generously and cook ziti according to package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a deep skillet with high sides, over medium-high heat, brown the sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain grease if desired.
  • To the cooked sausage, add olive oil, onion, and garlic. Sauté until mostly tender, about 3 minutes.

Cooking

  • Stir in the diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, water, basil, oregano, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Stir well. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed. Remove bay leaves.
  • Add the cooked ziti to the sauce and stir to coat. Add in fresh mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Stir to melt slightly.
  • Pour into the baking dish and sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover with lightly greased foil and bake for 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbling.

Serving

  • Top with fresh chopped parsley (optional) and serve hot.

Notes

Make sure to cook the pasta al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Use high-quality ingredients, especially for the sausage and marinara sauce, to enhance the flavors. Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for a nutritional boost.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 30gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8g
Keyword Baked Ziti, Comfort Food, Dinner Recipe, Pasta, Sausage
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