Best 7 Baked Ziti With Italian Sausage Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Baked ziti with Italian sausage is a classic Italian-American dish that is sure to please a crowd. This hearty and flavorful casserole is made with tender ziti pasta, juicy Italian sausage, and a creamy tomato sauce. It's then topped with a layer of melted cheese and baked until golden brown and bubbly. Serve this comforting dish with a side of crusty bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

BAKED ZITI AND SAUSAGE



Baked Ziti and Sausage image

This is my husband's favorite casserole, and he requests it often. He loves the combination of zesty Italian meat and three types of cheese, which together create a scrumptious baked ziti with sausage.-Christina Ingalls, Manhattan, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 cups uncooked ziti or other small tube pasta
1/2 pound Italian sausage links
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon pepper, divided
2 cups 2% milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 cups 4% cottage cheese
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Paprika

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; place in a large bowl. In a small skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and cut into 1/2-in. slices., In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Pour over pasta; toss to coat., In a small bowl, combine the egg, cottage cheese, parsley, and remaining Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Spoon half of the pasta mixture into a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Top with cottage cheese mixture. Add sausage to the remaining pasta mixture; spoon over the top. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and paprika. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°.

Nutrition Facts :

BAKED ZITI WITH SAUSAGE



Baked Ziti with Sausage image

This bubbling baked ziti is perfect for feeding a crowd, and it freezes well too.

Provided by Jennifer Segal

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 to 10

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb ziti noodles
1.5 lbs ground spicy or sweet Italian sausage (or removed from casings)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1½ teaspoons sugar
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup heavy cream
⅓ cup plus 3 tablespoons grated pecorino Romano (or Parmigiano Reggiano) cheese, divided
⅓ cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for serving
8 oz whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti according to the package directions for very al dente, about 7 minutes. (It will continue to cook in the oven so you want to undercook it just a bit.) Drain and add the pasta back to the pot. Set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 425°F and set the oven rack in the middle position.
  • Heat a large sauté pan (preferably nonstick) over medium-high heat. Crumble the sausage into the pan and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned and just cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a plate. Drain all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the pan and set over low heat (if you don't have enough fat in the pan, add a tablespoon of olive oil). Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until soft but not browned, about 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar and red pepper flakes and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
  • Add the cream, ⅓ cup of the pecorino Romano, cooked sausage, and basil to the pan; stir until evenly combined. Carefully pour the contents of the sauté pan into the large pot with the pasta and gently stir to combine. Spoon half of the mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella and half the remaining pecorino Romano. Spoon the remaining pasta mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and pecorino Romano. Transfer to the oven and bake, uncovered, until the cheese has melted and browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with more basil and serve.
  • Make-Ahead/Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The dish can be assembled, covered, and refrigerated for up to 2 days in advance, or frozen for up to 3 months. (If frozen, defrost in the refrigerator overnight.) Whether refrigerated or frozen and defrosted, bake, covered tightly with aluminum foil, in a 425°F oven for 25 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is lightly browned and the pasta is hot throughout.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 613, Fat 38 g, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 25 g, SaturatedFat 18 g, Sugar 6 g, Fiber 3 g, Sodium 913 mg, Cholesterol 111 mg

BAKED ZITI WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE



Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage image

Any dinner table benefits from the addition of this great Italian flavor!

Provided by Food Network

Time 30m

Yield 4-6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 package (19 ounces) Johnsonville Italian Sweet Sausage Links
8 ounces penne pasta (about 2 1/2 cups), cooked and drained
1 jar (26 ounces) pasta sauce
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 package (10 ounces) frozen garlic bread, ends removed and cut into 9 slices
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
2 medium Roma tomatoes, cut into slices
9 fresh basil leaves

Steps:

  • Cook sausage links according to package directions; drain, cut into ¼-inch slices.
  • In a large bowl, combine sausage slices, pasta, pasta sauce, water, basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, pepper and mix well.
  • Spoon mixture into a greased 9-in. x 13-in. x 2-in. baking dish.
  • Arrange garlic bread slices on top of meat mixture.
  • Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese.
  • In a small bowl, dip tomato slices into olive oil.
  • Place one slice of tomato on each piece of bread.
  • Bake uncovered, at 400°F for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  • Garnish with basil leaves. Serve.

BAKED ZITI WITH SAUSAGE



Baked Ziti with Sausage image

This is quite possibly the one thing that I am constantly asked to make. This is a ziti with a lot of flavor.

Provided by Ashley

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (16 ounce) package dry ziti pasta
1 pound mild Italian sausage
1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 egg
1 large yellow onion, minced
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 ½ (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce, divided
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Italian cheese blend
1 teaspoon dried basil

Steps:

  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the ziti, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
  • While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, and cook and stir until brown, about 10 minutes. Drain sausage and set aside.
  • Stir together the ricotta, egg, onion, garlic, and oregano in a large bowl until well combined. Stir in the drained pasta, the drained sausage, salt, pepper, and 1/2 jar of the spaghetti sauce; mix well.
  • In the prepared baking dish, cover the bottom with 1/3 jar of spaghetti sauce. Layer 1/2 of the pasta mixture, 1/3 jar of spaghetti sauce, and 1/2 of the shredded cheese. Then layer the remaining 1/2 of the pasta, 1/3 of the sauce, and 1/2 of the cheese. Sprinkle with basil. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. Uncover; return to the oven and bake until cheese is melted, 5 to 10 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 649.4 calories, Carbohydrate 68.9 g, Cholesterol 85.5 mg, Fat 27.4 g, Fiber 5.9 g, Protein 30.7 g, SaturatedFat 12.3 g, Sodium 1485.1 mg, Sugar 14.9 g

ITALIAN BAKED ZITI



Italian Baked Ziti image

This comforting Italian dish has a from-scratch spaghetti sauce, ziti pasta and a generous combination of cheeses. You can easily double the recipe to serve a larger crowd.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/2 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-3/4 cups spaghetti sauce
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
6 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried basil
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano, divided
8 ounces ziti or small tube pasta
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. , Stir in the spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, tomato paste, water, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, basil and 1/2 teaspoon oregano. Cover and simmer for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. , Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, egg, salt and pepper., Spread 1 cup meat sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with half of the pasta, a third of the meat sauce and half of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and oregano. , Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 431 calories, Fat 14g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 81mg cholesterol, Sodium 818mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 27g protein.

THREE-CHEESE BAKED ZITI WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE



Three-Cheese Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage image

This version of baked ziti omits the usual ricotta cheese (or its substitutes) and adds Italian sausage, with very satisfying results!

Provided by Doug in Manhattan

Time 1h25m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 17

nonstick cooking spray
1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Italian cheese blend
1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil, or more to taste
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup diced onion
3 cloves garlic, diced
5 cups lower-sodium pasta sauce
⅓ cup sliced black olives
1 tablespoon whole fennel seeds
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a 4-quart rectangular baking dish with nonstick spray. Combine mozzarella and Italian blend cheeses in a bowl and place in the refrigerator.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
  • At the same time, heat 3 tablespoons oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage and break up into morsels. Sprinkle baking soda onto sausage, then add onion and garlic. Cook and stir, continuing to break up any clumps as it cooks, until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off and discard any grease.
  • Add pasta sauce, olives, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, anchovy paste, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add up to 3 tablespoons more oil if desired, and continue stirring until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring regularly, until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in ziti.
  • Spread 1/2 of the sauced ziti into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle 1/2 of the shredded cheese mixture evenly on top. Spoon or ladle the rest of the ziti evenly on top without disturbing the layers underneath; it's okay to have some ziti partially exposed as they will brown handsomely and deliciously as they bake. Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese mixture on top and sprinkle Parmesan across the surface.
  • Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 480.3 calories, Carbohydrate 47.3 g, Cholesterol 44 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 4.7 g, Protein 21.4 g, SaturatedFat 9.1 g, Sodium 1144.9 mg, Sugar 11.3 g

BAKED ZITI AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE



Baked Ziti and Italian Sausage image

This is different from the other Baked Ziti's posted....it has no tomato sauce or tomatoes! I have to admit, I sometimes increase the sausage to 1 1/2 lbs, especially if I have a teenage boy eating!

Provided by breezermom

Categories     Pork

Time 1h40m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

8 ounces ziti pasta, uncooked
1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot, your choice)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated and divided
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (16 ounce) carton ricotta cheese (may use small-curd cottage cheese instead)
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (4 oz)
paprika

Steps:

  • Cook the ziti according to the package directions. Drain well and set aside.
  • Cook the sausage links in oil in a large skillet for 15 minutes or until browned over medium heat; reduce heat if necessary to keep them from burning. Drain well on paper towels. Slice the sausage diagonally and set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; add the flour, stirring until smooth. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add the milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Add the ziti; stir well, and set aside.
  • Combine the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, ricotta (or cottage cheese), egg, parsley, 1 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper. Stir well.
  • Place half of the macaroni mixture in a lightly greased 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish. Top with the ricotta cheese mixture and half of the sausage. Top with the remaining ziti mixture and sausages. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and paprika.
  • Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Tips:

  • Choose the right pasta. Ziti is a classic choice for baked ziti, but you can also use penne, rigatoni, or any other short, tube-shaped pasta.
  • Use high-quality Italian sausage. The sausage is one of the main ingredients in baked ziti, so it's important to use a good quality sausage. Look for a sausage that is made with fresh pork and has a good flavor.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. The pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. If you overcook the pasta, it will become mushy and will not hold its shape in the casserole.
  • Use a good quality cheese. The cheese is another important ingredient in baked ziti. Use a cheese that melts well and has a good flavor. Some good choices include mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta cheese.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to make baked ziti. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique dish.

Conclusion:

Baked ziti is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. With its combination of pasta, sausage, cheese, and sauce, baked ziti is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give baked ziti a try.

Related Topics