Easy Baked Ziti with Sausage
Learn how to make easy baked ziti with sausage with just a handful of ingredients, minimal prep time, and a total time of just 1 hour!
Equipment
- 1 (9x13-inch) baking dish
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ziti noodles Note 2
- 1.5 pounds ground hot Italian sausage Note 2
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Note 3
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 8 ounces Mozzarella cheese shredded (about 2 cups)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the ziti noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.16 ounces ziti noodles
- In a large skillet, cook the hot italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.1.5 pounds ground hot Italian sausage, 4 cloves garlic
- Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar, red pepper flakes to the skillet with the sausage. Stir well to combine. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the sour cream, grated parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh basil leaves.½ cup sour cream, ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- In a separate bowl or the pot the noodles were cooked in, mix the cooked ziti noodles and sauce together.
- Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle on the shredded mozzarella cheese.8 ounces Mozzarella cheese
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Note 1: Feel free to use any type of pasta that you prefer, such as penne or rigatoni.
Note 2: You can substitute the hot Italian sausage with mild or sweet sweet, ground beef, or ground turkey, if desired.
Note 3: Customize the recipe by adding other vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the sauce.
Storing Tips:
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 350° F, or warm individual servings in the microwave.
- Freeze easy baked ziti for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, cover the dish with aluminum foil, and transfer it to a freezer-safe bag. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and bake as directed.
Note 2: You can substitute the hot Italian sausage with mild or sweet sweet, ground beef, or ground turkey, if desired.
Note 3: Customize the recipe by adding other vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the sauce.
Storing Tips:
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 350° F, or warm individual servings in the microwave.
- Freeze easy baked ziti for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, cover the dish with aluminum foil, and transfer it to a freezer-safe bag. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and bake as directed.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 604kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 29gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 1112mgPotassium: 406mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 433IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 272mgIron: 2mg
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only.