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Cozy Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage: Easy Fall Dinner

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This cozy baked ziti with Italian sausage is a comforting fall dinner that comes together in under an hour. A happy accident with cottage cheese instead of ricotta creates an incredibly creamy, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound sweet or spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
  • 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
  2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a plate, leaving the drippings in the pan.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir everything together, then return the cooked sausage to the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer on low heat while you prepare the pasta and cheese mixture.
  5. Add the ziti to the boiling water and cook until al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta (or cottage cheese), egg, half of the grated Parmesan, and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella. Stir until well combined.
  7. Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add half of the cooked pasta in an even layer. Dollop half of the cheese mixture over the pasta and gently spread it. Pour half of the remaining sauce over the cheese layer. Repeat with the remaining pasta, cheese mixture, and sauce.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan evenly over the top.
  9. Place the baking dish on the middle rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and lightly browned. If you want a deeper golden crust, switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching closely.
  10. Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil before serving.

Notes

Don’t overcook the pasta—cook it 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow layers to set. For a lighter option, use cottage cheese instead of ricotta. To make ahead, assemble the dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours; add 10-15 minutes to baking time. Freeze unbaked for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, fall dinner, comfort food, easy dinner, pasta bake, cottage cheese, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/cozy-baked-ziti-with-italian-sausage-easy-fall-dinner/