The Best Baked Ziti with Sausage Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Baked ziti with sausage enhances ordinary pasta nights into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Layers of rich, robust flavors mingle beneath a golden, bubbling cheese surface that promises pure comfort.

Hearty and satisfying, this classic Italian-American dish delivers warmth in every single bite.

Mediterranean ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of taste that feels both familiar and exciting.

Creamy ricotta, zesty tomato sauce, and perfectly seasoned sausage form the heart of this crowd-pleasing meal.

Each forkful tells a story of tradition and home-cooked goodness that connects people around the table.

Get ready to fall in love with a dish that makes dinner feel like a celebration.

Hearty Baked Ziti with Sausage That’s Perfect for Dinner

• Savor Creamy Comfort: This baked ziti delivers ultimate comfort food with its rich, velvety layers of cheese, pasta, and sausage that melt together perfectly.
• Craft Bold Flavor Combinations: The recipe expertly balances Italian sausage's spiciness with fresh herbs, tomato sauce, and multiple cheese varieties, creating a complex taste profile that keeps every bite interesting.
• Speed Through Weeknight Cooking: With just 45 minutes total preparation and cooking time, this one-pan meal offers a gourmet dinner solution for busy families without sacrificing deliciousness or requiring advanced culinary skills.

Essential Ingredients for Baked Ziti with Sausage

• Ziti or Tubular Pasta: Core structure of the dish, providing hearty base and classic Italian pasta shape.
• Italian Sausage: Adds rich, savory flavor and protein to the recipe, creating depth in the overall dish.
• Cottage Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Provide creamy texture, tangy flavor, and melty richness, binding ingredients together.
• Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes: Create classic red sauce base with bright, acidic flavor profile.
• Oregano, Basil, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall flavor and adding traditional Italian herb notes.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth and classic Mediterranean taste.
• Heavy Cream, Cornstarch, Eggs: Help create smooth, rich sauce and provide structural integrity to the dish.
• Sugar: Balances tomato sauce acidity and rounds out flavor profile.
• Olive Oil: Prevents pasta sticking and adds subtle background flavor.
• Fresh Basil: Adds bright, fresh herbal garnish and visual appeal.
• Nonstick Spray: Ensures easy dish release and prevents sticking.

How to Make Hearty Baked Ziti with Sausage

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray, covering all edges.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Boil 3 quarts of water with kosher salt. Add ziti pasta and cook for 5-7 minutes until just under al dente. Drain in a colander and drizzle with olive oil, gently stirring to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Brown the Sausage

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook Italian sausage until fully browned. Drain excess fat.

Step 4: Create Flavor Base

• 5 cloves minced garlic
• Oregano
• Basil
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.

Step 5: Simmer the Sauce

Reduce heat and let sauce simmer on medium-low for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6: Enhance Sauce Flavor

• Sugar
• Fresh chopped basil

Step 7: Prepare Creamy Mixture

In the same pot, whisk heavy cream with cornstarch. Heat on medium, stirring until slightly thickened (3-4 minutes).

Step 8: Combine Cheese Ingredients

• 2 beaten eggs
• Cottage cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Cubed mozzarella

Step 9: Combine All Ingredients

Mix the cream sauce, sausage mixture, cheese blend, and cooked pasta together.

Step 10: Assemble the Casserole

Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining red sauce and sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Step 11: Bake the Ziti

Cover with foil (sprayed on the underside) and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes. Optional: Broil for extra crispiness.

Step 12: Serve and Garnish

Let rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Tips for Perfect Baked Ziti with Sausage

• Choose Quality Sausage: Select fresh Italian sausage with robust flavor, preferably from a local butcher for maximum taste and texture.
• Control Pasta Doneness: Undercook ziti slightly during boiling since it will continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy texture and maintaining perfect al dente consistency.
• Layer Strategically: Distribute cheese mixture and sauce evenly throughout the dish to ensure every bite has balanced flavors and creamy richness.
• Prevent Moisture Buildup: Drain pasta thoroughly and pat ingredients dry to avoid watery casserole, guaranteeing a firm and cohesive final dish.
• Rest Before Serving: Let baked ziti sit for 10 minutes after removing from oven, allowing ingredients to set and making cutting and serving much easier while maintaining structural integrity.

Storing and Reheating Baked Ziti with Sausage

• Refrigeration Method: Transfer leftover baked ziti into an airtight container within two hours after cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the container flat to maintain the dish's texture and prevent soggy edges.
• Freezing Method: Wrap the cooled ziti securely in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Place in a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating Method: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the ziti from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Cover the dish with foil to prevent drying out.

Pairing Baked Ziti with Garlic Bread

• Slice and Sip Italian Red Wine Pairing: Enjoy a robust Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich, meaty flavors of the baked ziti, cutting through the creamy cheese and enhancing the tomato sauce's depth.
• Fresh Herb Salad Sidekick: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty pasta dish, providing a crisp, zesty contrast that refreshes the palate between bites.
• Crusty Garlic Bread Companion: Serve warm, toasted garlic bread alongside the ziti to soak up extra sauce and add a crunchy texture that perfectly matches the creamy, saucy pasta casserole.
• Chilled Pinot Grigio Refresher: Select a crisp, cold Pinot Grigio to cleanse the palate and offer a bright, acidic counterpoint to the rich, cheesy baked ziti, making each bite feel lighter and more enjoyable.

Variations of Baked Ziti with Sausage

• Veggie Volcano: Replace Italian sausage with a medley of roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Use vegetable broth instead of cream for a lighter sauce, maintaining the rich flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwestern Spin: Swap Italian sausage for spicy chorizo, add diced green chiles, and incorporate pepper jack cheese. Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Trade Italian sausage for ground lamb, introduce crumbled feta cheese, and mix in sundried tomatoes. Incorporate oregano and mint for an authentic Mediterranean touch.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Use gluten-free ziti pasta and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified. Replace wheat-based thickeners with cornstarch or arrowroot powder for a celiac-friendly version.

Baked Ziti with Sausage Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Classic Baked Ziti with Sausage brings Italian comfort straight to kitchen tables. Melted cheeses, hearty sausage, and perfectly al dente pasta create a satisfying meal that draws family and friends together for a memorable dining experience.

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Ingredients

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Pasta and Main Protein:

• 1 pound ziti (or penne/rigatoni if ziti is unavailable)
• 1 pound mild Italian sausage

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 1 (28-ounce/794 grams) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5-ounce/411 grams) can diced tomatoes
• 5 garlic cloves, smashed and minced
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for drizzling)

Cheese and Dairy Components:

• 1 pound cottage cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, chopped into ¼ inch cubes
• 1½ cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup heavy cream, cold
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

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Instructions

1. Position the oven rack to the middle and preheat to 375°F (190°C). Coat a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, ensuring complete surface coverage.
2. Fill a large pot with 3 quarts (2.8 liters) of water and add of kosher salt. Bring to a vigorous boil, then add of ziti pasta. Cook for 6-7 minutes until pasta is slightly firmer than al dente. Drain in a colander and drizzle with olive oil, gently tossing to prevent sticking.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble of Italian sausage and cook until thoroughly browned, approximately 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat from the pan.
4. Reduce heat to medium and add 5 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 1 minute until aromatic. Incorporate of dried oregano, of dried basil, of kosher salt, and of black pepper. Stir briefly before adding tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
5. Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Mix in of sugar and of freshly chopped basil.
6. In the same pot used for pasta, whisk of heavy cream with of cornstarch. Heat over medium, stirring constantly until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
7. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk 2 eggs thoroughly. Fold in of cottage cheese, of grated Parmesan cheese, and cubed mozzarella cheese.
8. Remove cream mixture from heat and combine with the cheese mixture, sausage sauce, and drained pasta. Stir until ingredients are evenly distributed.
9. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread remaining red sauce over the top and sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly.
10. Cover the dish with foil (sprayed on the underside to prevent sticking) and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
11. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes to allow flavors to settle and facilitate easier serving.
12. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving. Slice and serve hot.

Notes

• Simplify your pasta night with this hearty and comforting ziti that blends rich sausage, creamy cheeses, and robust tomato sauce.
• Cooking the pasta just under al dente ensures it absorbs sauce perfectly without becoming mushy during the final baking process.
• Crumbling and browning sausage thoroughly develops deep flavor foundations that elevate the entire dish’s taste profile.
• Creating a quick cream sauce with cornstarch helps thicken and bind ingredients without making the mixture too heavy or dense.
• Letting the baked ziti rest after cooking allows cheese to set and makes serving easier, preventing molten cheese from running everywhere.
• Choose full-fat dairy products for maximum richness and a luxurious mouthfeel that transforms this classic casserole into a memorable meal.

• Prep Time: 50 minutes
• Cook Time: 52 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 340 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg