Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

baked ziti

Recipe by
Beth Pierce
Old Monroe, MO

This amazing Baked Ziti recipe is layered with Italian sausage, ricotta cheese, sweet marinara sauce and plenty of mozzarella. Serve this Baked Ziti with a simple garden salad and crusty French bread. It is an easy friend and family favorite and serves quite a crowd. No worries if you don’t have a big crowd to feed because leftovers heat up like a dream.

yield 8 serving(s)
prep time 20 Min
cook time 25 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For baked ziti

  • 1 lb
    italian sausage
  • 1 sm
    onion chopped
  • 2 clove
    garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp
    dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp
    dried basil
  • 32 oz
    marinara sauce or pasta sauce
  • 16 oz
    ziti pasta
  • 15 oz
    ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 c
    grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 c
    shredded mozzarella
  • 1 Tbsp
    chopped fresh italian parsley
  • 1/4 tsp
    fresh ground black pepper
  • 1
    egg

How To Make baked ziti

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees Bring a pot of water to a boil.
  • 2
    In a large skillet over medium heat brown the Italian sausage breaking it up as you go. Add the chopped onion; cook for 3-4 minutes. Reduce heat, add garlic, dried oregano and basil; cook for 1 minute. Drain any excess grease. Add marinara and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • 3
    Once the water boils cook pasta al dente and drain well. In a medium bowl stir together the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella, parsley, black pepper and egg.
  • 4
    In a 13 x 9 inch casserole dish spread a thin layer of sauce. Top with half of the ziti pasta. Then top with half of the sauce and the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with the remaining pasta and the rest of the sauce. Top with the remaining mozzarella.
  • 5
    Bake uncovered 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
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