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Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage

A heartwarming Italian-American dish combining creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and savory Italian sausage in rich marinara sauce, all baked to perfection.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Base Ingredients
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed Choose Halal-certified options
  • 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
Cheese Ingredients
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning Ingredients
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • optional Fresh basil, for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and add the ziti pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the Italian sausage. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Incorporate the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sausage mixture, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well coated.
Assembly and Baking
  1. In a greased baking dish, pour half of the pasta mixture, spreading it evenly. Layer half of the shredded mozzarella on top. Repeat with the remaining pasta and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  2. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After that, uncover and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  3. Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Notes

Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days in an airtight container or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight and heat in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed through.