Description
Hearty Italian-American classic ziti pasta brings comfort and joy to dinner tables across the nation. Melted cheese, savory marinara sauce, and perfectly cooked noodles create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ziti or penne pasta
- 1 pound (454 grams) Italian sausage
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces (227 grams) ricotta cheese
Sauce and Aromatics:
- 1 (28 ounce/794 grams) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Position oven rack in top third and preheat to 375°F for optimal heat distribution.
- Cook ziti in generously salted water until just shy of package instructions, approximately 2-3 minutes less. Drain thoroughly to prevent waterlogging.
- In a large skillet, brown sausage and onions until caramelized. Incorporate minced garlic and aromatic seasonings, then introduce crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and a touch of sugar to balance flavors.
- Thoroughly combine pasta with prepared sauce, ensuring even coating. Transfer half the mixture into a baking dish, strategically place dollops of ricotta across the surface, then cover with remaining pasta mixture.
- Generously sprinkle a blend of grated parmesan and shredded mozzarella over the entire casserole, creating a comprehensive cheese layer.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until heated through and bubbling. Finish under broiler for 2-3 minutes to achieve a golden, crispy cheese topping with enticing browning.
Notes
- Cook pasta slightly undercooked to prevent mushiness during baking, ensuring perfect al dente texture.
- Use hot Italian sausage for extra flavor kick or swap with ground turkey for lighter protein option.
- Drain pasta thoroughly to avoid watery sauce and maintain rich, creamy consistency.
- Let dish rest 10 minutes after baking to help layers set and make cutting easier.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 684 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg