Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipe with Italian Sausage

Looking for a comforting and hearty meal that’s perfect for a cold night? Try this delicious cheesy baked ziti recipe with Italian sausage. It’s packed with savory flavors and gooey melted cheese, making it a crowd-pleaser for all pasta lovers. The best part? It’s super simple to make and doesn’t require any fancy ingredients. Let’s get started!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of ziti pasta
• 1 pound of ground Italian sausage
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 can of crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
• 1 teaspoon of dried basil
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the excess fat and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, sauté the onion and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the can of crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Add the cooked ziti pasta and cooked Italian sausage to the skillet. Stir well to coat everything with the sauce.
7. Pour half of the ziti mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Repeat with the remaining ziti mixture and cheese.
8. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
9. Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.