Delish Italian Sausage Baked Ziti Recipes

Alright, so here’s the deal: this Delish Italian Sausage Baked Ziti is like that cozy hug you didn’t know you needed. It’s cheesy, a little saucy, and packed with spicy sausage goodness that just kinda melts into every nook of that ziti pasta. If you’re all about comfort food with layers of flavor but without too much fuss, this one’s your friend. The kind of recipe that feels fancy but is honestly so simple to throw together after a long day.

My family—especially my husband—is totally hooked on this recipe. I remember the first time I whipped it up, he claimed it was restaurant quality and might have eaten half the pan before I got a proper serving. The kids love picking out the sausage bits between bites of cheese, and honestly, it’s become that go-to dish when we want something hearty but not a huge production. Plus, leftovers? Perfection heated up the next day with an extra sprinkle of cheese. You’ll wanna make this one on repeat.

How to Make It

Alright, pretend we’re just chatting in my kitchen — you pop your ziti in some boiling salted water until al dente (don’t go mushy on me!). Meanwhile, brown up that Italian sausage in a big pan, breaking it up like you mean it, till it’s all nicely cooked and a little crispy at the edges. Toss in some garlic and onion if you’re feeling fancy.

Now, grab your marinara—homemade or the store-bought kind (don’t judge). Mix half of that with the sausage love and stir in a good scoop of creamy ricotta. Then, drain your pasta and mix it all together, like you’re making some pasta magic happen. Transfer to a baking dish, cover with a big handful of shredded mozzarella and parmesan, and bake till bubbly and golden on top.

When it’s out of the oven, try not to burn your tongue (always me), and dig in while it’s hot and deliciously melty.

✔Ingredient Notes

– Italian Sausage: Use the spicy kind if you want a little kick, sweet if you’re keeping it mild. Brown it well for flavor and texture perfection.
– Ziti Pasta: Any tube pasta works, but ziti holds sauce like a champ. Don’t overcook it—al dente is your friend here.
– Ricotta Cheese: This adds a creamy, dreamy texture. If you mess up and skip it though, it’ll still be tasty, just less rich.
– Mozzarella & Parmesan: Mozz melts; parmesan punches up the flavor. Don’t skimp on the parm or you lose that salty cheesy love.
– Marinara Sauce: Great store-bought works just fine, but homemade’s a game changer when you have the time.

✔Recipe Steps

1. Boil salted water and cook ziti pasta until al dente, then drain.
2. Brown Italian sausage in a large skillet, breaking it up as it cooks; add minced garlic and diced onion if using.
3. Stir marinara sauce into the cooked sausage, simmer for a few minutes to marry flavors.
4. Mix the sausage sauce blend with ricotta cheese and cooked pasta until everything is combined.
5. Pour mixture into a baking dish and sprinkle evenly with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
6. Bake at 375°F for about 25-30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.

What to Serve It With

Honestly, a simple side salad or roasted veggies work beautifully here. Garlic bread if you’re feeling extra indulgent (always me). Maybe a glass of red wine if it’s Friday night and you deserve it. This dish is the star, so keep the sides chill and easy.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t skip salting the pasta water, that’s where 90% of your flavor foundation happens.
– Overcooked pasta will turn mushy once baked, so trust your timer and taste test.
– If your sausage is super fatty, drain some grease before adding sauce or your baked ziti might feel greasy.
– Use fresh grated parmesan if you can; pre-grated stuff melts weird sometimes.
– Avoid overloading on cheese—you want gooey, not gluey.

✔Storage Tips

Pop leftovers into an airtight container and fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave (oven keeps it crispier on top). Cold leftovers? No judgment here—some days, cold baked ziti is an actual breakfast winner. The cheese firms up, and honestly, it’s kinda like pasta pizza. Zero shame in that life choice.

✔Variations and Substitutions

If you don’t have sausage, ground beef or turkey works but misses that spice punch. Vegan sausage and dairy-free cheese? I tried it once and was surprised, but the texture changes so temper expectations. No ricotta? Cream cheese or cottage cheese is your backup. For sauce, I’ve used vodka sauce too—because reasons—and it’s luxe but way more indulgent. Sometimes I sneak in spinach or mushrooms if I need to convince myself it’s healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Delish Italian Sausage Baked Ziti Recipes

This baked ziti is loaded with Italian sausage, creamy cheese, and a rich tomato sauce, perfect for a hearty family dinner.

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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1 lb Italian sausage
• ▢ 12 oz ziti pasta
• ▢ 24 oz marinara sauce
• ▢ 15 oz ricotta cheese whole milk
• ▢ 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
• ▢ 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• ▢ 2 tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
• ▢ 1 tsp dried oregano

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente, drain and set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
• Mix cooked sausage with marinara sauce, garlic powder, black pepper, and dried oregano.
• In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, sausage sauce mixture, and ricotta cheese.
• Transfer mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
• Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, add fresh basil or a pinch of red pepper flakes before baking.