baked ziti and italian sausage

Recipe by
Lynette !
Gulf Breeze, FL

This is a creamy ziti bake. It doesn't contain tomato products, making it different from others. One of my children hates anything with diced or chunks of tomatoes, so this has become a go-to recipe for me.

yield 8 serving(s)
prep time 15 Min
cook time 1 Hr 25 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For baked ziti and italian sausage

  • 8 oz
    ziti pasta, uncooked
  • 1 lb
    mild or hot link Italian sausage, your choice
  • 2 Tbsp
    vegetable oil
  • 1/4 c
    butter
  • 1/4 c
    all-purpose flour
  • 2 c
    milk
  • 1/2 c
    Parmesan cheese, grated and divided
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 1/2 tsp
    pepper
  • 16 oz
    small-curd cottage cheese
  • 1
    egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 Tbsp
    fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 1/8 tsp
    pepper
  • 1 c
    shredded mozzarella cheese
  • paprika

How To Make baked ziti and italian sausage

  • 1
    Cook the ziti according to the package directions. Drain well and set aside.
  • 2
    Cook the sausage in oil in a large skillet for 15 minutes or until browned; drain well. Slice the sausage diagonally and set aside.
  • 3
    Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add the milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the reserved ziti; stir well, and set aside.
  • 4
    Combine the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, cottage cheese, and the next 4 ingredients; stir well.
  • 5
    Place half of the ziti mixture in a lightly greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish. Top with cottage cheese mixture and half of the sausage.
  • 6
    Top with the remaining half of the ziti mixture and sausage. Sprinkle with mozzarella and paprika.
  • 7
    Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour.

Categories & Tags for Baked Ziti and Italian Sausage:

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