Description
Comforting baked ziti brings Italian-American pasta perfection to dinner tables with hearty layers of melted cheese, rich marinara, and tender pasta. Creamy, bubbling goodness welcomes you to savor each delicious, satisfying bite of this classic home-style casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef sausage
- 1 lb ziti or penne pasta
- 8 oz (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese (made with microbial or plant-based rennet, divided)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan-style cheese (non-animal rennet, divided)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, warm olive oil over medium heat. Crumble beef sausage into the pan, stirring continuously until it begins to brown. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped red bell pepper, cooking until vegetables soften and sausage is fully cooked.
- Incorporate parsley, Italian seasoning, fresh basil, and red pepper flakes into the meat mixture. Allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes, developing rich flavors. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simultaneously, prepare pasta in generously salted boiling water until just al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining. Toss pasta with a portion of sauce to prevent sticking and maintain moisture.
- Prepare a casserole dish by spreading a thin sauce layer on the bottom. Create a first cheese layer using dollops across the surface. Arrange pasta evenly, then cover with remaining sauce. Distribute the final cheese layer uniformly across the top.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Place casserole in the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden. Optional: Broil for 2 minutes to achieve a crispy, caramelized top, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Notes
- Select high-quality sausage for maximum flavor depth and richness in the dish.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thick during baking.
- Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded for smoother melting and better texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg