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Baked Ziti in a casserole dish

Baked Ziti

Jennie Duncan
This recipe for Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food. Made with ground sausage, tomatos, and loaded with cheese.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 695 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz ziti
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ tsp oregano
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 pound mild Italian sausage
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 14.5 oz petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp basil
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • tsp pepper
  • 3 ½ cups shredded mozzarella

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350° F. Prepare a 9x13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • Cook ziti according to package directions. Once cooked drain and set aside.
  • In a seperate bowl mix together ricotta cheese, egg, and oregano. Set aside for later.
  • Heat oil on the stove top in a large skillet or pot. Add mild Italian sausage and cook and crumble. Drain fat as needed.
  • To your sausage add in crushed tomatoes and petite diced tomatoes. Season with basil, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes.
  • Start layer your ingredients starting with ½ of tomato sauce. Then ½ of ziti on top of sauce. Then add all ricotta cheese mixture and spread evenly over pasta.
  • Add the remaining cooked ziti and then the remaining tomato sauce to the casserole. Last top with shredded mozzarella.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Can I uses Ground Beef instead? Yes, you can use ground beef in the place of ground sausage. You can even do a half and half mixture. 
Can I use another pasta? Yes, you can easily use penne pasta in the place of ziti. You can really toss any pasta you enjoy with this or use whatever you have on hand. 
How to make it ahead of time: Cook your sauce and pasta then allow them to cool completely. Once they are cooled assemble your ingredients and place it in a fridge or freezer-safe casserole dish. Cover it and keep it in the fridge for 2-3 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months. Once your baked ziti is thawed you can bake it according to the directions until it is warm throughout.

Nutrition

Calories: 695kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 36gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 127mgSodium: 923mgPotassium: 813mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 967IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 431mgIron: 4mg
Keyword Baked Ziti
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