Easy Baked Ziti
An effortless and delightful baked ziti recipe, ideal for cozy weeknights and impressive enough for gatherings.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Servings: 8 to 10
Full Ingredient List
- 1 lb ziti noodles
- 1½ lbs ground spicy or sweet Italian sausage
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup plus 3 tablespoons grated pecorino Romano cheese
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
- 8 oz whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Ziti and Sauce
Tools and Equipment
- large pot
- sauté pan
- wooden spoon
- slotted spoon
- 9 x 13-inch baking dish
Ingredients
| Quantity | Name | Preparation Notes | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 lb | ziti noodles | Cooked until very al dente | rigatoni, penne |
| 1½ lbs | Italian sausage | Ground or crumbled | ground beef, ground turkey |
| 4 cloves | garlic | Minced | garlic powder |
| 1 (28-oz) can | canned crushed tomatoes | tomato puree | |
| 1 cup | heavy cream | half and half, whole milk | |
| ⅓ cup plus 3 tablespoons, grated | pecorino Romano cheese | Parmigiano Reggiano | |
| ⅓ cup, chopped | fresh basil | Plus more for serving | dried basil |
| 8 oz, shredded | mozzarella cheese | Whole milk | fontina cheese |
| 1 teaspoon | salt | ||
| 1½ teaspoons | sugar | ||
| ¼ teaspoon | red pepper flakes |
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F and position the rack in the middle.
- Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook ziti noodles for 7 minutes until very al dente. Drain and set aside. (Tips: Undercook the pasta slightly as it will continue to cook in the oven.)
- Step 3: In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, crumble and cook the sausage until browned, about 5-6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving 1 tablespoon of fat in the pan. (Tips: Add a tablespoon of olive oil if there's insufficient fat from the sausage.)
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, add minced garlic, and cook for 1 minute until soft. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar, and red pepper flakes to simmer for 10 minutes. (Tips: Constantly stir garlic to prevent browning.)
- Step 5: Stir in cream, ⅓ cup pecorino Romano, fresh basil, and cooked sausage. Mix well. (Tips: Ensure even incorporation of all ingredients for consistent flavor.)
- Step 6: Combine sauce with pasta in the pot, then spoon half into a baking dish. Layer with half the mozzarella and pecorino Romano, repeat with remaining pasta and cheese. (Tips: Layer cheese evenly to ensure optimal melting.)
- Step 7: Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts and browns. Garnish with fresh basil before serving. (Tips: Serve with a simple green salad for a complete meal.)
Additional Information
Notes: For best results, use whole milk mozzarella cheese, as it melts better and contributes to a more indulgent texture. Feel free to prepare the dish in advance and either refrigerate or freeze it for ease.