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Pasta Bake with Sausage (Baked Ziti)

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This baked ziti is everything you want from a classic Italian dish—hearty, cheesy, and full of rich, meaty flavor. With tender pasta, zesty sausage, and melty mozzarella, it’s a weeknight lifesaver and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ziti or penne pasta

1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Salt & pepper to taste

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Boil pasta until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside.

Make Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, brown sausage with onion until fully cooked. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Stir in marinara, oregano, red pepper flakes, and season to taste. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.

Assemble: In a greased 9×13 baking dish, spread a layer of sauce. Add half the pasta, spoon dollops of ricotta, sprinkle mozzarella, and repeat. Finish with sauce and a generous topping of mozzarella and Parmesan.

Bake: Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Rest & Serve: Let sit 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with herbs if desired.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorscroll.com/pasta-bake-with-sausage-baked-ziti/