This delicious Baked Ziti Recipe is a classic Italian dish that is sure to please everyone at the dinner table.
Enjoy the classic flavors of a delicious baked ziti with this easy-to-follow recipe. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a tasty, Italian-style meal that everyone will love. Our Baked Ziti Recipe starts with pasta cooked al dente with Italian cheeses and a zesty tomato and meat sauce. Finally, you’ll top off this mouth-watering dish with romano cheese and bake for for an irresistible, cheesy casserole perfect for any night of the week. This family favorite is sure to become one of your go-to recipes!
This casserole-style dish is baked in the oven, creating an irresistible creamy texture you won’t be able to resist! Whether you serve it as an entrée or as side dish to your favorite main course, you’re sure to get rave reviews every time!
Baked Ziti
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ziti
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Large Onion diced
- 1 pound Chopped Sweet or Mild Italian Sausage no casing
- 3 Cloves Garlic minced
- teaspoon Kosher Salt to taste
- teaspoon Ground Black Pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup Dry Red Wine
- 32 ounces Crushed Tomatoes canned or jarred
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 tablespoon Dried Basil
- 1 cup Fresh Ricotta
- 1 cup Romano Cheese grated
- 1/3 cup Fresh Parsley chopped
- 1/2 pound Mozzarella cut into cubes or shredded
Instructions
Make Sauce
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking dish. Meanwhile, fill a pot with salted water and bring it up to a rolling boil.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat, adding 2 Tbs. olive oil to the pan. Stir in diced onion and cook until they become soft and fragrant. About 5 minutes of sautéing should do!
- Add in sausage. Sauté with garlic, then season the mixture to your desired preference of salt and pepper. Cook until the sausage has lightly browned.
- Add the Red Wine and let it boil until nearly all of the liquid is gone.Then add in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, and basil and reduce heat and allow them to lightly boil for approximately 10 minutes.
Cheese
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, parsley, and romano cheese saving some cheese to sprinkle on top later. Finish by seasoning with salt & pepper to taste.
Put it all together
- Cook the ziti in the boiling water until it is al dente and drain it thoroughly.
- Toss ziti with ricotta mixture until evenly coated and then add sausage sauce and toss again.
- Gently mix in mozzarella saving a little to sprinkle on top.
- Pour the mixture into a baking dish, and finish off with an even sprinkle of romano and mozzarella cheese and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes when cheese starts to melt.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Freche says
If you could look into my face right now, you’d be able to see a smile of appreciation.