Easy Baked Ziti Recipe (Cheesy, Saucy & Simple!)

Ingredients

1 lb ziti pasta 1 lb Italian sausage, mild or hot
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced 2
(24 oz) jars marinara sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
15 oz whole-milk ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Optional for topping: Red pepper flakes, chopped parsley or basil, and highly recommended extra Parmesan;)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain.
While the pasta cooks, brown the Italian sausage and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking the sausage into bite-sized pieces as it cooks.
Add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook for about 30 seconds.
Pour in the marinara sauce and simmer for about 5 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
In a bowl, mix the ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and 1 cup of mozzarella.
Toss the cooked ziti with about two-thirds of the meat sauce.
Spread a little of the remaining sauce over the bottom of the baking dish. Add half the pasta, dollop the ricotta mixture over the top, then add the remaining pasta.
Pour the remaining sauce over everything and top with the remaining 2 cups mozzarella.
Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and starting to brown.
Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Yes, you have to wait. Otherwise you’ve basically created a delicious cheese landslide.
Finish with the optional red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, extra Parmesan or a touch of fresh grated sea salt

Tips & Variations

Don’t overcook the pasta: Pull it about 2 minutes before al dente. It’ll finish cooking in the oven instead of turning to mush.
Don’t skimp on the sauce: Two jars may look like a lot going in, but pasta is basically a tiny carbohydrate sponge. Extra sauce is what keeps baked ziti from coming out dry!
Make it spicy: Use hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
Make it meatless: Skip the sausage and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or whatever vegetables need rescuing from your refrigerator.
Cottage cheese works too: Swap it for the ricotta if that’s what you have. Once it’s surrounded by pasta, sauce, and molten mozzarella, nobody is filing a complaint.;)
Make it ahead: Assemble, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add about 5–10 minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven cold.
Here are the interesting details on why you should never use pre-shredded cheese!

Love cozy pasta? Check out this Creamy Lemon Pasta with Crispy Bacon and this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta, this viral Marry Me Chicken, these Ultra-Crispy Oven Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs and this delightfully easy Cheesy Baked Macaroni with Beef! And if you’re in the mood for a simple one pot wonder meal?! This EPIC One Pot Lasagna dinner that’s ready in less than 27 minutes will absolutely become your new favorite busy-night dinner!

Want an easy and delicious dessert to make with this dinner? Try this viral Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Copy Cat recipe – it’s creamy, no-bake and ALWAYS a hit!