Super easy family dinner, this easy Baked Ziti recipe is layered like a lasagna for the BEST EVER Italian dinner ever made.
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time50 minutesmins
Course: Dinner, sunday dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: baked ziti, baked ziti recipe, best baked ziti
Servings: 10
Calories: 570kcal
Author: Kellie
Cost: $8
Equipment
1 baking dish
Ingredients
8ouncesItalian sausagecasings removed
1large onionfinely chopped
4ouncesbutton mushroomsfinely chopped
4clovesgarlicfinely chopped
2 1/2tablespoonstomato paste
4cupsmarinara sauce
1poundricotta
1/2cupheavy cream
3/4cupgrated parmesanPlus more for grating before serving
1poundziti
1poundfresh mozzarellacut into bite sized pieces
Instructions
Heat the oven to 425 degrees.
Place a large pot of salted water on the stove and bring to a boil. Add the pasta to the pot and cook to just al dente, approximately 7 minutes. Drain the pasta. Set aside.
Cook the sausage in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat breaking up into pieces with a fork until no longer pink. Transfer the sausage to a bowl using a slotted spoon. Drain off all but two tablespoons fat from the pan.
Add the onion and mushrooms to the pan and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Add the tomato paste and cook the mixture until it turns a deep crimson color, approximately 2-3 minutes. Stir in the marinara and remove from the heat.
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, heavy cream and parmesan cheese.
Place the pasta in a large bowl and stir in 2 cups of the sauce.
Spread a bit of the sauce on the bottom of a 3 quart baking side and top with 1/3 of the pasta.
Spread 1/3 of the remaining sauce on top and then top with 1/2 the sausage and 1/2 the ricotta mixture.
Sprinkle with 1/2 the mozzarella and then repeat the layers beginning with the pasta.
Sprinkle the top layer with a bit more parmesan and place the baking dish on a sheet pan lined with foil (for easy clean up)
Bake 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling.