Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb of bulk Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup finely chopped white onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 2– 20oz bottles of marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 ½ teaspoons of Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lb ziti or penne pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Brown the sausage and veggies: Heat the olive oil in your saucepan over medium heat, then add the Italian sausage, onion, garlic, and red bell pepper. Break up the sausage as it cooks, and sauté everything until the sausage is browned and cooked through. Tip: Don’t rush this step—letting the sausage brown properly builds flavor.
- Simmer the sauce: Stir in the marinara, parsley, Italian seasoning, fresh basil, and red pepper flakes. Let it all simmer for about 10 minutes to meld the flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pro tip: If your sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, boil the ziti in salted water until just al dente. It’s better to undercook than overcook since the pasta will finish in the oven. Lesson learned: Don’t forget to reserve a bit of pasta water—it’s a lifesaver if the sauce needs thinning.
- Layer it up: Start with a thin layer of sauce in your casserole dish. Dot half the ricotta on top, then add the cooked pasta. Layer the remaining ricotta on top of the pasta, followed by the rest of the sauce. Finish with the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake to perfection: Pop the dish into a preheated 350°F oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. If you like crispy edges, broil for an extra 2-3 minutes. Heads-up: Let the baked ziti cool for 5-10 minutes before serving—it’ll set up nicely and won’t burn anyone’s tongue.
Notes
Serving and presentation ideas
When it’s time to serve, garnish your baked ziti with fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color. Serve it straight from the casserole dish for a rustic feel, or spoon it onto plates for a more elegant presentation.
For sides, I love pairing this dish with a crisp Caesar salad and some crusty garlic bread. If you’re hosting, a simple roasted vegetable medley rounds out the meal beautifully.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch