Nicole's Best Baked Ziti

For Sunday suppers, team dinners, or dinner drop-offs for a friend in need, this crowd-pleasing baked ziti with sausage is hearty, rich, and flavorful. Perfectly baked pasta absorbs flavor from the tangy tomato sauce, contrasting beautifully with the creamy ricotta mixture. This budget-friendly meal tastes like you spent all day making it! Serve alongside crusty bread, an Italian salad, and a glass of red wine.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 808 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup water
• 1 large egg
• 1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 2 (24 ounce) jars marinara sauce
• ¾ pound ground Italian sausage
• ¾ pound ground sirloin
• ¾ teaspoon ground pepper, divided
• 1 (15 ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 ½ (8 ounce) packages mozzarella cheese, shredded

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt to the boiling water and stir in pasta. Cook until just about tender to the bite, about 8 minutes (or 1 to 2 minutes less than package instructions).

Step 3

At the same time, heat a large, deep skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sausage and beef and cook, crumbling with the back of a spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add onion, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and pepper flakes; cook until onion is translucent and softened, 3 to 5 minutes. 

Step 4

Drain pasta and return to the pot. Add about 1/2 cup marinara; toss to coat and let sit until needed.

Step 5

Add remaining marinara sauce to the browned meat mixture. Pour 1/4 cup water into each jar, shake to release any leftover sauce in the jar, and pour into the skillet. Stir and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.

Step 6

Stir ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, basil, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper together in a bowl. 

Step 7

Add 2 cups meat sauce to the pasta; toss to coat.

Step 8

Spread 1/2 cup meat sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add ½ of the pasta mixture and top with 2 cups meat sauce. Lightly dollop and spread ricotta mixture over the top and sprinkle evenly with 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese. Add remaining pasta mixture, remaining meat sauce, and remaining mozzarella on top. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan. 

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.