Affordable Baked Ziti Sausage (Printable Version)

Baked ziti with sausage, ricotta, and marinara for a filling, family-friendly Italian-American pasta dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta & Sauce

01 - 12 ounces ziti pasta
02 - 1 pound Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
03 - 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce

→ Cheese Layer

04 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
05 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti pasta until just al dente, then drain thoroughly.
02 - In a mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta with crumbled Italian sausage and marinara sauce until evenly coated.
03 - Spread half of the pasta mixture into a baking dish. Dollop ricotta cheese over the layer, then add the remaining pasta mixture on top.
04 - Evenly distribute shredded mozzarella cheese over the surface.
05 - Transfer the dish to the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the dish is bubbling throughout.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Feeds a crowd for less than takeout
  • Ready in just over thirty minutes
  • Minimal prep and cleanup
  • Totally kid approved
  • Always cozy and full of familiar flavors
02 -
  • Great for meal prep and reheats beautifully
  • Swapping in gluten free pasta and dairy free cheese makes it allergy friendly
  • Flexible for any vegetables you have on hand
03 -
  • Always drain the pasta well to prevent watery sauce
  • Toast breadcrumbs in olive oil and sprinkle on top before baking for bonus crunch I love adding a handful of chopped fresh parsley on serving for brightness and color

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