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Easy Baked Ziti

A cheesy pasta bake with ziti, Italian sausage marinara, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ziti
  • 1 pound Italian sausage casings removed
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 32 ounces marinara sauce
  • 15 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • Fresh basil for serving

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large pot (for the pasta)
  • Large skillet
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F and cook the ziti 2 minutes shy of al dente.
  2. Step 2: Brown the sausage and onion, add the garlic and marinara, and simmer.
  3. Step 3: Mix the ricotta, egg, Parmesan, parsley, and salt.
  4. Step 4: Toss the pasta with the sauce and layer half in the dish.
  5. Step 5: Add dollops of ricotta and half the mozzarella, then the remaining pasta and cheese.
  6. Step 6: Bake covered 20 minutes and uncovered 15 to 20 minutes, then rest.

Notes

Calories are an estimate per serving.
Assemble up to a day ahead for easy entertaining.