Baked Ziti is a classic Italian-American comfort food dish with hearty and savory flavors. This Italian pasta recipe is sure to please with layers of succulent tomato sauce, creamy ricotta cheese and bubbly mozzarella. Enjoy your own homemade version tonight!
1poundChopped Sweet or Mild Italian Sausageno casing
3ClovesGarlicminced
teaspoonKosher Saltto taste
teaspoonGround Black Pepperto taste
1/4cupDry Red Wine
32ouncesCrushed Tomatoescanned or jarred
1teaspoonDried Oregano
1tablespoonDried Basil
1cupFresh Ricotta
1cupRomano Cheesegrated
1/3cupFresh Parsleychopped
1/2poundMozzarellacut 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.