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Bring comfort food to the next level with this Cheesy Baked Ziti Casserole, packed with savory sausage, rich marinara, and gooey pockets of melted cheese. Rigid tubular pasta holds onto the hearty meat sauce while a golden mozzarella topping bakes to bubbly perfection. It is a foolproof, kid-friendly Italian-American favorite that feeds a crowd with ease.
Prep Time
20 min
Per serving
540kcal
Calories
26g
Protein
52g
Cook Time
30 min
Servings
8 people
Difficulty
easy
Carbs
25g
Fat
4g
Fiber
6g
Sugar
Follow step-by-step with voice guidance.
Preheat your oven to 190°C and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook the ziti pasta until al dente, and drain thoroughly.
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.
Add minced garlic and diced onion to the skillet, sautéing for 4 minutes until translucent.
Pour in marinara sauce, reduce heat, and let simmer for 10 minutes to thicken the sauce.
In a mixing bowl, combine whole milk ricotta, half of the shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, a beaten egg, and chopped parsley.
Toss the cooked ziti directly into the simmering meat sauce until thoroughly coated.
Stir the creamy ricotta mixture into the pasta until distributed evenly throughout.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and scatter the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top.
Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling around the edges.
Cook Pasta Firm: Boil your ziti just shy of al dente since it will continue cooking inside the hot oven sauce. Mix Ricotta Thoroughly: Folding the cheese into the pasta creates rich, creamy bites in every forkful. Use Whole Milk Cheese: Whole milk ricotta and mozzarella yield a smoother, richer melted texture than low-fat options.
Yes, assemble the entire casserole up to baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking.
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